State & Local Recreation

Public Recreation Lands

Ownership Acres (millions)

Percent acres

Federal 707.7 90.9%

State 62 8.0

Co. & Local 3 0.4

Other 5.7 0.7%

Public Recreation Lands

Ownership Number of units

Percent units

Federal 1,774 1.6%

State 20,375 18.6

Co. & Local 67,685 61.7

Other 19,884 18.1%

Public Recreation LandsAnnual Visits

Federal 652 million

State 750 million

County & Local ??

Other ??

(Cordell, 1990)

Location of Participation in Outdoor Recreation

Federal 12%

State 14

County & Local 60

Private 14%

(Cordell, 1990)

Why do users decide to visit state & local recreation sites? Travel distance to the site Proximity to population centers Costs involved Visitor needs Available time Weather

Evolution of state systems

1864 - Yosemite State Park established in CA

1885 - NYS establishes first state forest reserve

1919 - First state park system established in IL

1921 - First state parks conference held in Des Moines, IA

Evolution of state systems 1954 - NYS establishes first Bond Act

1965 - Land and Water Conservation Fund Act passed by Congress SCORP (Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor

Recreation Plan)

Agencies in New York NYSOPRHP NYSDEC NYSDOT NYSCC NYSDED NYSDA&M NYSDOS NYSDMV NYSDOH

NYS Office of Parks, Rec., & Historic Preservation (OPRHP)

Manages 168 state parks & 35 state historic sites

Administers: Land and Water Conservation Act funds &

SCORP (http://nysparks.state.ny.us/scorp) Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act funds Env. Quality Bond Act funds

OPRHP Regions

NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

Manages: state forests state campgrounds (Adirondacks & Catskills) state wildlife management areas state wilderness areas state fish hatcheries

Issues hunting & fishing licenses $30.9 million in revenue in 2001

DEC Regions

NYS Dept. of Economic Development (DED)

Economic Development Corporation or “I Love NY” Program

Promotes tourism in NYS (Http://www.iloveny.com/main.asp)

Administers state funding for tourism promotion to county tourism agencies

DED Regions

NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) Scenic Byways Program

Designate state byways Recommend state byways for national

designation Administer national scenic byways funds

Highway Program Signage State road & bridge maintenance

NYS Canal Corporation (NYSCC) Manages & promotes New York’s

Canal System

Collects lock use fees on Canal

State-fundedRegional Agencies Adirondack Park Agency

Tug Hill Commission

Hudson River Valley Greenway

Adirondack Park Agency Planning agency for the

Adirondack Park

Manages two interpretive centers at Paul Smiths & Newcomb

Tug Hill Commission Provides technical assistance to

local governments for: economic development appropriate

for the Tug Hill region environmental protection

Hudson River Valley Greenway

Regional planning program

Provides technical assistance to communities to protect scenic, natural, historic, cultural, & recreational resources.

State Agency Concerns Incompatibility between agency

regions Communication between

agencies Low funding levels Often little return to recreation

on funds generated from users

Types of County & Local Parks

Parks Swimming areas

Pools Beaches

Picnic areas Nature centers & museums

Types of County & Local Parks (continued)

Trails Ball fields Skating rinks Playgrounds

County and Local Park Ownership County

County Recreation Department

Township Town Supervisor or Recreation Department

City or village City/Village maintenance staff or recreation

department

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum?

Primitive UrbanSemi-Primitive

Non-motor

RuralRoadedNatural

Semi-PrimitiveMotorized