Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Office of

Agency Web Site: https://www.parks.ny.gov/

Mission

The mission of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic, and cultural resources.

Organization and Staffing

OPRHP is headed by a commissioner appointed by the Governor. Operations are administered through a network of 11 regional offices: Allegany, Central, Finger Lakes, Genesee, Long Island, New York City, Niagara, Palisades, Saratoga/Capital District, Taconic and Thousand Islands. The central office, which includes executive and other administrative support staff, is located in Albany.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2021 Executive Budget recommends appropriations of $489 million for OPRHP, an increase of $7 million from the FY 2020 Budget. This change reflects an increase for additional FTEs, as well as increased appropriations for the Golf Enterprise Fund and Retail Store Enterprise Fund established in the FY 2020 Enacted Budget.

The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 2,063 FTEs for OPRHP in FY 2021, an increase of 22 FTEs from FY 2020 levels. This increase is directly attributed to additional FTE’s for scalers and trades positions within the agency.

The Budget allocates $110 million in New York Works capital funding to OPRHP, in order to continue the investment to restore and repair parks and historic sites across the state.

If approved by the public in November, the Restore Mother Nature Bond Act will include funding for two new state parks along the Hudson River. This initiative will include a new 508-acre park that protects over a mile of riverfront and create a series of trails, and the Hudson Eagles State Recreation Area, New York's first linear, water-based park connecting five revitalized Upper Hudson boat launches.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Environment and Energy (PDF)

Program Highlights

OPRHP’s mission is carried out through its operation of 216 parks and historic sites, providing safe and attractive facilities, accessible and affordable services and quality visitor experiences. In order to increase efficiencies, OPRHP has reorganized functions and consolidated management operations, and continues to achieve efficiencies by streamlining administrative oversight, redeploying staff and consolidating functions. To enhance park facilities and support events, OPRHP continues to foster public-private partnerships, including corporate sponsorships.

The responsibilities of the Office are carried out through four major programs:

• Administration provides executive direction, fiscal, personnel and public communication services, as well as management of the capital program;
• Park Operations operates the State’s 181 parks in the 11 Park regions throughout the State. Staff includes a statewide police force, security, field operations, and maintenance personnel;
• Historic Preservation oversees preservation activities at 35 historic sites, develops a statewide Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan and maintains the State Register of Historic Places; and
• The Natural Heritage Trust receives and administers funds, including private gifts and bequests, to advance conservation, outdoor recreation and historic preservation purposes. Created under the Public Authorities Law in 1968, the Natural Heritage Trust is a public benefit corporation.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/29/2020