Shield N.Y.’s parks from budget cuts

The latest report by the State Controller, Tom Dinapoli, has given news that gives news: New York State is now faced with an even larger budgetary gap than previously expected, with increasing budgetary pressures threatening a wide range of vital programs and services. While legislators weigh difficult decisions to balance the budget, some can once again consider our state parks and our public land as consumables. But history – and tangible evidence – show that it would be an expensive error.

We have already seen this scenario. In 2009, during the depths of the great recession, New York almost closed 100 state parks and historic sites to save only $ 6 million. The public’s reaction was fast and powerful. New Yorkers from all corps have rallied to save these cherished spaces, and legislators have finally found alternative solutions, recognizing that the sacrificing of our natural heritage was too high to pay.

Today, the issues are even higher. Over the past decade, New Yorkers have realized that public lands are not luxuries – these are essential infrastructures. Our parks and greenways stimulate our economy, improve our quality of life and offer essential advantages for environmental and public health.

In fact, New York parks and trails generate more than $ 5 billion in annual economic activity – equally with the venerable agricultural sector of New York State. Our public lands support thousands of jobs in tourism, leisure and hospitality. For each dollar invested in our park system, almost $ 9 have returned to local savings.

During the pandemic, when so many interior spaces were closed, our public lands have become lifestyles – offering safe places for exercise, leisure and connection with nature. In 2024, the attendance of state parks climbed 88 million visits, stressing their essential role in the daily life of New Yorkers.

But the value of our public lands goes far beyond dollars and hundred. These precious spaces, from Niagara falls to the Harlem river state park – connect communities, promote environmental justice and provide equal access to nature to all – regardless of postal code or income. As climate change accelerates, our parks and greenways serve as carbon wells, flood pads and cooling areas in our increasingly hot cities and cities.

Unlike 2009, we now understand that public lands are not equipment, but the backbone of a new, healthy and dynamic New York. These are democratic spaces where people from all walks of life come together – a rare and precious resource in a divided world.

While we will face the budgetary challenges described in the Dinapoli report, we must resist the temptation to consider our parks and trails as simple budget line elements. Short -term discounts will lead to long -term costs. Delayed interview – already a backlog of $ 3.5 billion – will only develop more. Reduced access will reach the hardest badly served communities. Lost tourism income will harm small businesses and local savings.

It is also important to recognize what is at stake for New York leadership. Governor Hochul has built a stellar record on conservation, outdoor leisure and environmental management. Under his direction, New York made historical investments in parks, open spaces and climate resilience.

To undermine this progress now with the reductions in budgets of the Department of State Parks or the State Department of Environment Conservation would not only threaten the gains made for our environment and our public health-this was also unnecessarily a legacy of avant-garde leadership at a time when New Yorks need it most.

The challenges are real, but the solutions too. Rather than targeting our public lands, let’s explore progressive income options, public-private partnerships and targeted efficiency that preserve and strengthen these vital resources.

In the coming months, New Yorkers must make their voices heard. Our parks and trails are not consumable – they are essential to our identity, our economy and our future. The inheritance we leave for the next generation depends on the choices we make today. Let us choose to protect New York public lands – not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it is the intelligent thing to do.

White is the executive director of Parks & Trails New York.