Park & Trail Partnership Grant (PTPG) Program

Program Status: Active, in its 11th round as of August 2025

Geographic Scope: Statewide across New York State

Funder: Administered by Parks & Trails New York Inc in partnership with New York State

Funding Amount: $2.5 million total program (increased from $2 million in FY2025)

Focus Areas:

• Maintenance and improvement projects on parks, trails, and open spaces
• Capacity building for nonprofit organizations
• Community programming
• Infrastructure projects
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives
• Trail improvements and amenities
• Accessibility enhancements (ADA compliance, adaptive use facilities)
• Interpretive signage and educational programming
• Historic preservation

Eligibility:

• Grassroots nonprofit groups and organizations
• Friends groups affiliated with state parks and historic sites
• Community organizations working on public lands

What They Fund:

• Trail maintenance and rehabilitation
• Accessibility improvements
• Equipment and supplies
• Staff positions and capacity building
• Interpretive programs and signage
• Educational initiatives
• Community engagement projects
• Infrastructure amenities (restrooms, seating, wayfinding, etc.)

Award Examples:

• $300,000 (Friends of U.S. Grant Cottage - Overlook Trail construction)
• $200,700 (Palisades Park Conservancy - bird aviary site design)
• $180,000 (Friends of Orient Beach - coastal shoreline consultant)
• $150,000 (multiple recipients for various projects)
• $4,798 (Catskill 3500 Club - Trailhead Stewards Program)

Background:
The program focuses on grassroots nonprofits and emphasizes DEIA principles. With $5 million in unmet requests, the funding increase aims to improve accessibility of outdoor recreation and support much-needed infrastructure projects to keep up with growing visitation to New York's public lands.

Application Process

The application process includes:

• DEIA Focus: Applications encourage projects that advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility through webinars, application requirements, and direct communication with applicants
• Webinars: PTNY offers webinars to support applicants
• Guidance: Staff provide communication and support to applicants throughout the process
• Rounds: The program operates in numbered rounds (as of August 2025, the program was in its 11th round)

Required Materials/Focus Areas:

• Demonstration of project scope and impact
• DEIA component consideration
• Community benefit and accessibility outcomes
• Organizational capacity information

Note: Specific application requirements, deadlines, and detailed submission instructions not provided in available materials.