OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
|
Adjusted |
Executive |
Legislative |
Change |
|
STATE OPERATIONS |
||||
|
General Fund |
89,354,400 |
97,879,900 |
96,879,900 |
(1,000,000) |
|
Special Rev.-Fed. |
2,350,900 |
2,517,300 |
2,517,300 |
0 |
|
Special Rev.-Other |
33,180,000 |
41,953,900 |
32,953,900 |
(9,000,000) |
|
Fiduciary |
1,165,000 |
1,172,800 |
1,172,800 |
0 |
|
Enterprise |
2,500,000 |
2,500,000 |
2,500,000 |
0 |
|
Total for STATE OPERATIONS: |
128,550,300 |
146,023,900 |
136,023,900 |
(10,000,000) |
|
AID TO LOCALITIES |
||||
|
General Fund |
25,364,927 |
6,951,600 |
8,951,600 |
2,000,000 |
|
Special Rev.-Fed. |
800,000 |
870,000 |
870,000 |
0 |
|
Special Rev.-Other |
900,000 |
1,100,000 |
1,100,000 |
0 |
|
Total for AID TO LOCALITIES: |
27,064,927 |
8,921,600 |
10,921,600 |
2,000,000 |
|
Capital Projects Fund |
42,631,000 |
39,039,000 |
41,039,000 |
2,000,000 |
|
Total for CAPITAL PROJECTS: |
42,631,000 |
39,039,000 |
41,039,000 |
2,000,000 |
Agency Mission
The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) provides recreation, outdoor and historic site interpretation opportunities to park and historic site visitors at 151 parks and 35 historic sites. The Office also hosts cultural and education programs, and provides a variety of recreational programs, including the Empire State Summer and Winter Games. The parks and historic sites serve over 650,000 visitors annually.
Year-to-Year Change
On an All Funds basis, the Executive proposed a State Operations appropriation increase of $17,473,600 or 13.6 percent. This was related primarily to the Governor's unspecified lump sum appropriation for a new Heritage Trail program.
The Governor proposed an Aid to Localities decrease of $18,143,327, or 67 percent. The Governor proposed a decrease in Capital Projects of $3,592,000, or 8.4 percent.
Legislative Changes
|
Eliminate Funding for Governor's Undefined Heritage Trail Initiative. |
$(10,000,000) |
ST/GEN |
The Governor's New York Heritage Trail initiative lacks programmatic direction for the funds included in the Executive Budget. The Assembly removes this funding from the base of the Parks budget, since it is unclear how these funds would be spent and it is uncertain whether State's existing corridors and trails would receive funding.
|
Reduce Fee Support for Operating Expenses. |
$(9,000,000) |
ST/SRO |
The Assembly plan maintains General Fund operating support for the Parks system, which eliminates the need for a fee increase as proposed by the Governor. Funding from the Parks Patron Services Account, the fund into which fee revenues are deposited, is reduced by $9,000,000 accordingly.
|
Eco-Tourism in State Parks. |
$2,000,000 |
CAPITAL |
The Assembly provides $2,000,000 to support eco-tourism programs in State Parks. These eco-tourism programs will be designed to enhance enjoyment of New York's unique environmental resources by encouraging environmentally compatible tourism. Eco-tourism enhances appreciation and enjoyment of the environmental and natural resource assets of the State and offers economic benefits to the tourism industry. Eco-tourism activities include, but are not limited to, birding, cross-country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, canoeing, camping, rock climbing, wildlife viewing and swimming.
Legislative Proposals
The Assembly plan for State Parks is aimed at ensuring that the New York Park system remains an affordable recreational alternative for all New Yorkers. As such, the Assembly denies the fee increase proposed by the Governor. In addition, the Parks proposal will encourage appreciation and enjoyment of New York's environmental and natural resource assets, as well as generate economic benefits to local communities.
Hudson River Park
The Assembly plan ensures that funding for the Hudson River Park project be provided for expenditure solely by the Hudson River Park Trust. In addition, the Assembly rejects the Governor's proposal to repeal the statutory restrictions on the use of the Environmental Protection Fund in the Park.
Natural Heritage Trust
The Assembly provides funding for local museums, historical societies, botanical gardens, philharmonics and other cultural educational projects through the Natural Heritage Trust Program.
|
DENIAL OF PARK FEE INCREASES. |
$9,000,000 |
ST/GEN |
|
NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST FUNDING. |
$2,000,000 |
ATL/GEN |