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 2025 Executive Budget recommends appropriations of approximately $1 billion for OPRHP, an increase of about $309 million from the FY 2024 Enacted Budget. This change primarily reflects spending associated with a $100 million Centennial appropriation for OPRHP capital projects, $150 million in new grant programs for New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NYSWIMS), new park and campsite safety measures, settled union contracts, and increased operational activities. The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 2,453 FTEs for OPRHP in FY 2025.

The Budget allocates $200 million in New York Works capital funding to OPRHP to further expand the on-going investment to restore and repair parks and historic sites across New York. The Budget also allocates an unprecedented $100 million in additional funding for the celebration of the New York State Parks' Centennial.

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

Briefing Book – Environment, Energy, Parks, and Agriculture (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. 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 OPRHP 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 01/16/2024