Over $13 Million Dollars to go to Improve Mid-Hudson Parks

In celebration of Earth Day and Earth week, Governor Cuomo announced that 88 revitalization and rehabilitation projects, totaling $71.7 million, will be completed at 60 State parks and historic sites across New York this year. According to the Governor's Office, this will go a long way to protect our environment, conserving open space, increasing access to the state’s vast and magnificent natural resources, implementing clean energy initiatives and preparing for the effects of climate change.

The projects are part of the Governor’s NY Parks 2020 plan, a multi-year commitment to leverage a broad range of private and public funding to invest approximately $900 million in State Parks from 2011 to 2020.  These improvements are much needed and will make some sites easier to access and others nicer to visit.

Of this year's funding, over $13 million dollars will be heading to parks in the Mid-Hudson area.

Bear Mountain State Park, repair and upgrade parking area at Bear Mountain Inn, $750,000; replace roof on Merry-Go-Round Building, $150,000; sewage treatment plant upgrades and repairs, $1,100,000.

Harriman State Park: continue renovation of children's group camp, $500,000; Tiorati Brook Bridge replacement, $925,000.

James Baird State Park: park drinking water system improvements, $350,000

John Jay Homestead State Historic Site: paint exterior of historic main house, $150,000

Mills Norrie State Park: Norrie Point Environmental Center: roof and building improvements, $2,040,000; park electrical system improvements, $1,000,000.

Minnewaska State Park Preserve: park improvements including a new Park Office, public restrooms and enhanced parking, $2,000,000; redevelop park entrance to improve traffic flow, $350,000.

Rehabilitation of six bridges in Harriman and Bear Mountain State Parks, $900,000

Nyack Beach State Park: Improve entrance roadway and retaining wall, $500,000

Staatsburgh State Historic Site: Install energy efficient boilers and remove fuel tanks, $335,000

Walkway Over The Hudson State Park: Deck repair and maintenance, $75,000 ; Improvements to newly acquired parkland at the East Park entrance, $250,000; Walkway railing maintenance, $1,800,000.

Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site: Restore the historic Tower of Victory, $250,000

Each of these sites are overseen by The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which oversees a total of 180 state parks and 35 historic sites throughout New York State and 62 million people visit them annually.