Projects to Upgrade State Parks, Historic Sites and a Ski Facility in the Hudson Valley Are Announced

$34 Million Investment for Repair Projects

A $34 million investment for NY Works projects to upgrade and repair nine parks, two historic sites and one ski facility in the Hudson Valley was announced by the Governor's office today.

New York Works is designed to reinvent state economic development with innovative new strategy that will put New Yorkers back to work rebuilding the state's infrastructure. The Task Force will help create tens of thousands of jobs by coordinating comprehensive capital plans, overseeing investment in infrastructure projects, and accelerating hundreds of critical projects across the state.

Senator Steve Saland said, "I am pleased that this budget includes an infusion of capital dollars for the rehabilitation of New York’s state park system. Our state park system is a vital component of our regional and state tourism and the revitalization of these natural treasures will not only create new jobs but also attract many visitors to New York's parks and historic sites."

The Budget continues the Governor’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while creating jobs and strengthening communities across the state. It closes a multi-billion dollar deficit with no new taxes, fees or gimmicks, limits spending growth to two percent or below for the second year in a row, and launches the New York Works Task Force to invest billions of dollars to rebuild the state's roads, bridges, parks, and other infrastructure and create tens of thousands of jobs.

The Budget includes key economic development and transportation initiatives, important reforms to improve government efficiency, and measures to strengthen communities across the state.

New York Works Task Force

The New York Works Task Force will coordinate capital plans across 45 agencies and authorities, oversee investment in projects and access to funding, and facilitate the creation of tens of thousands of jobs.

Prior to the New York Works initiative, there was no comprehensive state plan for the $16 billion in annual capital expenditures by 45 state agencies and authorities. In some cases, including with respect to projects by the Port Authority, the MTA, and the Department of Transportation, billions of dollars of taxpayer or commuter funds are being used to fund transportation plans in the same region with no coordination between the agencies. For the first time, the New York Works Task Force will develop a coordinated capital infrastructure plan among agencies and authorities. The Task Force, made up of leaders in finance, labor, planning and transportation will also recommend financing options for projects and methods to accelerate construction of critical infrastructure.

The New York Works Task Force will consist of fifteen members. Nine of the members will be appointed by the Governor and six by the Legislature. All major state agencies and authorities will participate in an implementation council to coordinate capital planning.

All New York Works projects will be posted on the web with real-time updates so that New Yorkers can track the progress of projects in their community. The full list will be posted online over the next several days.

Rebuilding New York's State Parks

The New York Works Fund will provide $89 million, leveraging $143 million in total funding, to rehabilitate state parks, representing the single largest infusion in history of capital dollars for New York's parks. Currently, 83% of state parks are deteriorating. Projects will be funded in every region of the state and will enhance the visitor experience and enable our state parks to reemerge after years of decline.

The New York Works Projects in the Hudson Valley are as follows:

Bear Mountain State Park Repair and resurface the Seven Lakes Drive Road, a heavily used park road that is experiencing significant deterioration. 4,000,000

Bear Mountain State Park Rehabilitate and upgrade water and sewer systems that service Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks. 5,000,000

Belleayre Mountain Ski Center Funds will support lift maintenance, building maintenance and other infrastructure and preventive maintenance projects. $1,000,000

Fahnestock State Park Replace the Taconic Outdoor Education Center's outdated water supply system, which currently fails to meet health code. 1,000,000

Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park Rehabilitate deteriorated bathhouse facilities and repair the swimming pool's aging filtration system. The swimming pool, one of the largest pools in the country, is located 35 miles from New York City and is heavily used by underserved communities. 1,150,000

Hudson Valley State Parks Improvements Rehabilitate deteriorated structures, roofs, electric, water, and sewage systems at various camps used by underserved children in Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks. 3,355,000

Lake Taghkanic State Park Reconstruct Lake Taghkanic State Park's four deteriorating public restrooms. These aged facilities are a visible sign of state disinvestment in the state park. 2,400,000

Mills-Norrie State Park / Staatsburgh State Historic Site Restore the East Portico of Mills Mansion and repair the mansion's leaking roof; also complete restoration of the historic Mills stone wall 4,200,000

Mills-Norrie State Park Marina Large amounts of sediment have built up in the marina, making some slips unusable and reducing the park's revenue. Efforts to dredge the marina to remove accumulated sediments will restore full use of the marina. 2,000,000

Minnewaska State Park These funds will support the next phase of rebuilding the park's popular trails, which are used for hiking, bicycling, and cross country skiing. 1,000,000

Olana State Historic Site Olana is among the most important historic sites in the state park system and is a major tourism draw. Repairs to Olana's leaking roof are critical to maintaining this unique structure. 1,500,000

Old Croton Aqueduct Trail Improvements Replace several deteriorating bridges along the Old Croton Aqueduct, a heavily used, 26-mile paved trail in Westchester County that runs along the top of the historic aqueduct. 2,600,000

Rockland State Park Renovate leaks to avoid closure of the park's pool, which receives high use from underserved communities. 5,000,000