State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s latest report has delivered sobering news: New York State now faces an even larger budget gap than previously anticipated, with mounting fiscal pressures threatening a wide array of vital programs and services. As lawmakers weigh difficult decisions to balance the budget, some may once again view our state parks and public lands as expendable. But history — and hard evidence — show that this would be a costly mistake.
We have seen this scenario before. In 2009, during the depths of the Great Recession, New York nearly closed 100 state parks and historic sites to save just $6 million. The public reaction was swift and powerful. New Yorkers from every corner of the state rallied to save these cherished spaces, and lawmakers ultimately found alternative solutions, recognizing that sacrificing our natural heritage was a price too steep to pay.
Today, the stakes are even higher. Over the past decade, New Yorkers have come to realize that public lands are not luxuries — they are essential infrastructure. Our parks and greenways drive our economy, enhance our quality of life, and provide critical environmental and public health benefits.
In fact, New York’s parks and trails generate more than $5 billion in annual economic activity — on par with New York State’s venerable agricultural sector. Our public lands support thousands of jobs in tourism, recreation, and hospitality. For every dollar invested in our park system, nearly $9 is returned to local economies.
During the pandemic, when so many indoor spaces were closed, our public lands became lifelines — providing safe places for exercise, recreation, and connection with nature. In 2024, attendance at state parks soared to a record 88 million visits, underscoring their essential role in the daily lives of New Yorkers.
But the value of our public lands goes far beyond dollars and cents. These precious spaces, from Niagara Falls to Harlem’s Riverbank State Park — connect communities, foster environmental justice, and ensure equal access to nature for all — regardless of ZIP code or income. As climate change accelerates, our parks and greenways serve as carbon sinks, flood buffers, and cooling zones in our increasingly hot towns and cities.
Unlike in 2009, we now understand that public lands are not amenities, but the backbone of a resilient, healthy, and vibrant New York. They are democratic spaces where people from all walks of life come together — a rare and precious resource in a divided world.
As we confront the fiscal challenges outlined in DiNapoli’s report, we must resist the temptation to view our parks and trails as mere budget line items. Short-term cuts will yield long-term costs. Deferred maintenance — already a $3.5 billion backlog — will only grow more expensive. Reduced access will hit underserved communities hardest. Lost tourism revenue will hurt small businesses and local economies.
It is also important to recognize what is at stake for New York’s leadership. Gov. Hochul has built a stellar record on conservation, outdoor recreation, and environmental stewardship. Under her leadership, New York has made historic investments in parks, open spaces, and climate resilience.
To undermine that progress now with cuts to the budgets of the state Parks Department or the state Department of Environmental Conservation would not only threaten the gains made for our environment and public health — it would also needlessly mar a legacy of forward-thinking leadership at a time when New Yorkers need it most.
The challenges are real, but so are the solutions. Rather than targeting our public lands, let’s explore progressive revenue options, public-private partnerships, and targeted efficiencies that preserve and strengthen these vital resources.
In the coming months, New Yorkers must make their voices heard. Our parks and trails are not expendable — they are essential to our identity, our economy, and our future. The legacy we leave for the next generation depends on the choices we make today. Let’s choose to protect New York’s public lands — not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s the smart thing to do.
White is the executive director of Parks & Trails New York.
