Park and Trail Partnership Grants

The Park and Trail Partnership Grants program is a collaborative initiative administered by Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), and funded through the state’s Environmental Protection Fund. Designed to strengthen the network of organizations that steward New York’s parks, trails, and historic sites, the program supports a broad range of activities, including maintenance, capital improvements, educational programming, and organizational development. Open to nonprofit “Friends” groups and similar entities whose missions align with the preservation, stewardship, promotion, or interpretation of OPRHP or DEC lands, the program offers multiple competitive grant categories. These include Stewardship and Public Access Grants (up to $300,000 with a 10% match), Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grants (up to $200,000 with a 10% match), Professional Development Grants (up to $150,000 with a 20% cash match), and Step-up Grants (up to $20,000 with a $500 match). Each grant type is structured to meet specific organizational needs, from infrastructure upgrades to hiring staff or obtaining 501(c)(3) status. The grant program places strong emphasis on projects that advance accessibility, diversity, equity, inclusion, and partnerships—though these are not required for eligibility. Funded projects have included kayak racks, interpretive signage, trail enhancements, marketing campaigns, and DEI training, among others. Since its inception in 2015, the program has awarded nearly $9.9 million across 245 projects, often with significant private matching contributions. Applicants are guided through a streamlined and accessible application process via PTNY’s online portal, which includes robust resources such as templates, FAQs, and discussion forums. New applicants are encouraged to explore support materials that demystify both technical and narrative components of the grant submission. For Professional Development Grants, a Letter of Inquiry is mandatory before being invited to submit a full application. Applications are evaluated by a review team that gives special consideration to projects aligned with PTNY’s strategic priorities. Funding decisions are typically announced several months after the application deadline. Grants are disbursed in two parts: 50% upon contract execution and the remainder following a successful progress report at either the six-month or one-year mark, depending on the grant type. Round 12 of the Park and Trail Partnership Grants is anticipated to open in May 2026. All inquiries may be directed to the Grants Manager, Jonathan Duda, via grants@ptny.org or 518-434-1583 x3.

Align projects with accessibility, DEI, or partnerships for added consideration; prepare documentation early for construction-related projects; read category-specific guidance