In addition to all the “fun stuff” we do, we are committed as active lobbyists to ensure funding remains intact for future projects through NYS government. The Friend’s participate in the annual Park Advocacy Day. Organized by Parks & Trails NY and the Open Space Institute, Park Advocacy Day is just that – the opportunity for all Friend’s groups within the NYS Park’s system to meet with legislators to advocate for the well-being of our parks through funding from the Environmental Protection Fund.
Support a $400 million Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) with NO offload:
- Support $2 million for Park and Trail Partnership Grant Program
- Support $25 million for Municipal Parks Grant Program
- Restore the Open Space line to $40 million
- Reject agency staffing offloads on the EPF
- Restore capital funding for OPRHP to last year’s level of $250 million
- Support an increase in OPRHP’s operations appropriations, allowing for the hiring of 237 FTE’s
- Support $90 million in capital investments for outdoor recreation opportunities at DEC
The Friend’s of Moreau Lake have been a recipient of multiple grants totaling over $61k since we began applying to support major enhancements to the park. The Friend’s were represented by Paula Lomasney, VP, Board of Directors and Nancy Dwyer, Friend’s member and Saratoga-Capital Region NYS Parks Commissioner, (a volunteer position). Other members of the team included: Clifford Mealy, Sara-Cap Regional Commissioner; Janine Moon, Friends of Schuyler Mansion; April Liu, Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park; Martha Swan, John Brown Lives! and Siobhan Gallagher Kent, Open Space Institute. They were able to meet with (3) legislative members: Senator Jim Tedisco, Assemblyman Chris Tague and Assemblyman Matthew Simpson.
For more information about Park Advocacy Day, please download HERE
Senator Jim Tedisco
Assemblyman Matthew Simpson
Assemblyman Chris Tague’s office lead by his Chief of Staff: Lois Goblet