About Parks & Trails New York
Parks & Trails New York believes public lands are for all. We champion and protect our parks and greenways by advocating for resources, connecting communities, strengthening a network of stewards, and sharing the awe of nature.
Focus Areas
parkstrailspublic lands stewardshipadvocacy & policyoutdoor recreationtrail town economic developmentgrantmaking to local Friends groupsaccessibility and inclusive recreation
Who They Fund
historic sites and landmarksmuseums and archivesland trusts and conservation organizationslocal communities impacted by preservation projects
About Parks & Trails New York
A $300,000 grant to Friends of Mills Mansion in Staatsburg is the largest recent award in Parks & Trails New York Inc’s recent grant record, and it fits the organization’s emphasis on New York public lands, trails, historic sites, and related stewardship. The foundation backs nonprofit Friends groups that maintain, improve, interpret, and promote parks and trail systems, with a clear preference for projects tied to state parks, greenways, and outdoor access in New York. Recent awards also show support for a wide mix of local stewards and preservation partners. In 2025, the foundation gave $239,564 to Boutwell Hill Ski Club in Cherry Creek and $140,000 to Winona Forest Recreation Assoc in Lacona, alongside six-figure support for Harlem Valley Rail Trail Assoc in Millerton and Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum in Chittenango. The grant list includes parks, rail trails, historic landmarks, museums, and recreation groups, reflecting a funding approach centered on site-based public benefit. Parks & Trails New York Inc’s work is closely tied to community stewardship rather than individual giving, and its recent grants consistently go to organizations that manage or support public-facing places across New York.
What Parks & Trails New York Funds
Public lands stewardship is the clearest throughline. Parks & Trails New York Inc awarded $117,125 to Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum in Chittenango and $113,052 to Stony Kill Foundation Inc in Wappingers Falls, both listed under preservation, which aligns with the foundation’s focus on parks, historic sites, and visitor experience. Trail and greenway work appears repeatedly. The foundation gave $125,100 to Harlem Valley Rail Trail Assoc in Millerton and $60,000 to Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway in Mount Morris, showing support for linear park corridors and the groups that maintain them. Accessibility and recreation also show up in the recipient mix. A $239,564 grant to Boutwell Hill Ski Club in Cherry Creek and a $75,400 award to Adirondack Recreational Trail Advocates in Saranac Lake point to outdoor recreation infrastructure as part of the funder’s portfolio.
How Parks & Trails New York Gives
Typical awards cluster around a median of $24,050, with a lower quartile of $12,116 and an upper quartile of $37,500. The recent grant list includes both five-figure operating-style support and larger project awards, reaching $300,000 at the high end. Recipient names repeat across years in the recent data, including Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum, Palisades Parks Conservancy, Friends of Rockland Lake & Hook Mountain, and The Bannermn Castel Trust Inc, suggesting ongoing relationships with some organizations. The foundation does not fund individuals and makes no program-related investments. It also operates competitive grant programs, including Park and Trail Partnership Grants and Western New York Trail Town Grants, both of which accept unsolicited requests.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$2.7M
Total Assets
$1.4M
Total Revenue
$4.7M
Total Expenses
$5M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $12K and $38K, with a median of $24K.
25th Percentile
$12K
Median
$24K
75th Percentile
$38K
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
Paul Steely White
Accepts unsolicited proposals
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