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OPRHP – Testimony Before NYS Assembly Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee
November 1, 2011
Testimony Before NYS Assembly Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee
Commissioner Rose Harvey
Thank you, Chairwoman Markey, and members of the Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee, for inviting me here today to discuss our New York State park system, and the agency’s role in supporting New York’s tourism industry. As Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, I am charged with overseeing one of our state’s greatest treasures – the 126-year-old New York State park system. Since the 1885 creation of Niagara Reservation State Park – the oldest state park in the nation – the system has grown to 213 state Parks and Historic Sites encompassing 330,000 acres of protected lands and waters. Widely regarded as the finest in the nation, our New York State park system attracts tens of millions of visitors annually.
Since my appointment by Governor Cuomo in January, I have been traveling throughout our system to better understand park and historic site needs. I continue to be impressed by the diversity and scale of our park system. We have more parks than any other state park system in the nation, and the most developed system, and we’re the fourth-largest and second-most visited park system in the nation.
Our state park system is critical to our state’s prosperity and well-being. For a relatively small agency, State Parks has an outsized impact on New York’s economic development. Last year, 57 million people visited our 213 state parks and historic sites. Niagara Falls State Park alone attracts more visitors than Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks combined. Park visitors have a significant impact on New York’s economy and jobs.
A 2009 study by the Political Economy Research Institute of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst found that spending by New York State Parks and its visitors support 20,000 private-sector jobs (in addition to State Parks jobs), with an average compensation of about $50,000 a year. On a statewide basis, direct spending by the Office of Parks on park maintenance and capital improvements, and spending by visitors to state parks, supports up to $1.9 billion in output and sales. About 40 percent of the total is by people coming from outside the community to visit a park, and spending on transportation, lodging, groceries, restaurants, and other shopping. One-quarter of the people who stay at our campgrounds visit from out-of-state.
New York is open for business – and State Parks are a great place to do business. We have roughly 100 concession contracts with private business – everything from resort hotels to snack bars and the Maid of the Mist to kayak rental concessions. These businesses alone generate nearly $90 million in gross receipts annually, of which almost $10 million is returned directly to the agency to support park operations.
Our parks host major events, such as concerts, festivals and golf tournaments, which provide an economic boost to local economies. Bethpage State Park, for example, has twice hosted the U.S. Open Golf Championship and will host the PGA Tour’s Barclay’s tournament next year.
Yet the park system has its challenges. Consistent with many other state agencies, the Office of parks is rethinking its operations to provide the best service to our patrons at least cost. As a result of my visits to the parks and robust discussions with senior staff, we are focused on three main priorities to maintain the quality of park system, deliver a critical service to the people of New York, and contribute to the economic revitalization of New York.
Going into the summer season, our first goal was to keep open all parks and historic sites and maintain the quality of service with limited staffing and resources. Governor Cuomo made it clear that we need to keep all the parks open, particularly for those working class families where our parks are the only affordable alternative. I’m proud to say we’ve accomplished this goal. Despite some very uncooperative weather, we’ve had a successful season in 2011. We had another successful Memorial Day Air Show at Jones Beach State Park, opened a new and much needed $20 million aquatic facility at Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx; celebrated the millionth visitor to the new Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park in Poughkeepsie, extended our hours at swimming beaches across the state during the July heat wave, and kept our patrons and staff safe during Tropical Storms Irene and Lee.
We’ve done this – and will continue to do this – by focusing on our core values, maximizing efficiency, and leveraging our limited resources. Efficiency measures we implemented this past season included satellite park management, more partnerships with local governments, “controlled nature,” roving park maintenance, concessionaire-operated golf courses, and automation. We’ve learned a lot about how to do more with less this season, and we will continue to build on the experience.
We’re also bringing more focus to the agency. Our parks can no longer be all things to all people. During the off-season, our regional directors and park managers are going to focus on the core values that define what’s important about each park and we will align our future management to these core values. We’ve also set up a “blue ribbon” committee to review a new strategic plan by the State Historic Preservation Office to enhance the management of our 35 state historic sites. We will continue to look for ways to strengthen the work of our non-profit Friends Groups and partnerships with local governments to help operate parks that have mostly local visitation or are passive in nature.
Our second goal is to increase the quality and quantity of satisfied visitors—so we are number one most-visited and appreciated parks system in the country. To begin with, we must keep fees for core services affordable in these difficult times, particularly to underserved communities who cannot afford more. And we need to increase transportation access and physical access, such as trails and connectors to our own and local parks. We will create a strong brand to promote and celebrate our parks and historic sites, including uniforms, customer service training, marketing materials handed out at parks, and website improvements. We will soon have available a mobile app so smartphone users can more easily access information about our parks.Leveraging our limited resources with local government partnerships, Friends Groups and volunteers is a very high priority. We can supply the land, the buildings, the infrastructure, and many services, but we are looking to working with partners to provide more and a deeper level of programs and use opportunities—again, in keeping with the core value and purposes of each and every park. Simple policy changes such as providing access to different user groups – such as kayakers and canoeists – who’ve had limited access will help more patrons enjoy the park.
Our third goal is to fix the aging infrastructure and build a 21st century green and sustainable park system. We need to restore, rehabilitate, and improve the strong, stable, and visionary park system we inherited from the likes of Frederick Law Olmsted and Robert Moses. In 1883, Olmsted convinced the State to pass legislation to purchase the Niagara Reservation, which became the nation’s first state park. Then in the 1920’s, the State and Robert Moses picked up the mantle and completed, funded, and built out one of the most ambitious and visionary state park plans in the country. A system designed to be easily accessible to New York residents and visitors and offer them unprecedented recreational, historic and nature experiences in the likes of Jones Beach, Palisades State Park, Letchworth, Allegany, Olana and, last but not least, Riverbank and Roberto Clemente. As the oldest and most developed park system in the country, New York has significant infrastructure challenges that must be addressed. This year we have identified resources that begin to address our priority capital needs. For example, better than budgeted revenues in parks allowed us to spend an additional $7 million on equipment and capital projects this fiscal year. We’ve also freed up $5 million of previous federal Transportation Enhancements funds, granted to the agency but which were never spent, to advance park and historic site improvements. We will continue to work on raising private dollars for parks and partnering on capital projects with sister agencies and our friends groups. We are also prioritizing our needs and designing long-term improvements, so that we will be “shovel ready” when the economy improves and additional capital funds are available.
Thank you again for your interest in our state park system. As always, I am truly appreciative for the tremendous support that members of the Legislature have provided to our agency and I welcome any questions.
OPRHP – Calling All Kids! State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey Encourages Kids to Visit a State Park on May 21!
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Kid's Tennis at Riverbank State Park. Photo Credit: Charles O'Neal
National Kids to Parks Day Promotes Outdoor Activity at our Nation’s Public Parks
OPRHP – ALBANY, NY – 05/09/2011 – New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey encouraged children around the state to visit a park for outdoor fun and play on Saturday, May 21st. Children nationwide will take part in a grassroots movement that day to celebrate America’s parks through play as they participate in the National Park Trust’s first annual National Kids to Parks Day.
“Regularly visiting state parks for play and adventure not only encourages a healthy lifestyle, but can instill in children a lifelong commitment to nature and the environment. It is my hope that children, the future stewards of our environment, become inspired by all the wondrous things they will do and discover in their favorite parks, ” Commissioner Harvey said.
“From playgrounds to trails, our parks are brimming with countless opportunities for outdoor play–take a hike or a bike ride on a lakeside trail, search for shells on the beach or listen for bird calls on a nature walk,” Harvey suggested. “Our parks are made for play, and we are proud to be a part of this nationwide effort to encourage fun physical activity and nature awareness among our youth.
“Kids around the country are getting involved in the effort by signing an online pledge to visit a park. New Yorkers can sign the pledge by following the Kids to Parks Day link on the State Parks website, www.nysparks.com. While there, visitors can plan their visit, search the calendar of events for a fun activity at their favorite park, and learn more about state parks. After their visit, families are encouraged to post pictures and stories about their trip on the State Parks Facebook page.
“The National Park Trust is a leader in the growing movement to promote children’s health by encouraging outdoor play in our public parks. I am thrilled that New York State Parks is joining the effort and we welcome children to our parks not only on May 21st but every day of the year!,” said Lucy Rockefeller Waletzky, Chair of the New York State Council of Parks. Endorsed by the America’s State Parks, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), National Education Association (NEA), Children’s National Medical Center, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, US Army Corps of Engineers, and Children & Nature Network, Kids to Parks Day is an effort to spotlight the importance of outdoor activity in promoting children’s health. For more information about the National Park Trust’s Kids to Parks Day visit www.buddybison.org/.
The New York State Office of Parks New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 178 state parks and 35 historic sites. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456, visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
Rose Harvey: Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Rose Harvey
Citing her “experience and knowledge as well as her expertise creating countless cost-effective parks, playgrounds and open spaces in underserved communities,” Governor Andrew M. Cuomo nominated Rose Harvey to serve as Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in January 2011.
For 27 years, Ms. Harvey held multiple leadership positions with The Trust for Public Land, beginning as a community organizer and rising to Senior Vice President and Regional Director of the Mid-Atlantic Region and finally as National Director of Urban Programs. Serving as Regional Director for 17 years, she led a 50 person staff in an eight-state region that, each year, purchased about $75 million of conservation lands and, annually designed and developed 10 to 12 new urban parks with and for underserved communities. Under her leadership, TPL’s Mid- Atlantic Region – with community partners – designed and developed over 300 city parks, gardens and playgrounds, and purchased over a billion dollars of conservation lands to help create or enhance another 500 State, regional, rural and metropolitan parks like Woodlawn State Park, Green Lakes State Park, and Sterling Forest State Park in New York State.
Ms. Harvey most recently served as a senior fellow at the Jonathan Rose Companies, and a McCluskey Fellow and Lecturer at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
She serves on the Board of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the Yale Leadership Advisory Council. In addition to multiple state and national awards for her environmental stewardship and advocacy for open space and parks, Ms. Harvey has written articles and op/eds in numerous national media outlets and industry trade journals.
Rose holds a B.A. from Colorado College and an M.E.S. from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (FES). Her hobbies include family excursions (to State Parks), basketball, tennis, and hiking. (Source: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation web site – http://nysparks.state.ny.us/about/biography.aspx)
Riverbank State Park is looking for Lifeguards! – Statewide examinations to be held in coming months
March 11, 2011 – The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is hiring lifeguards for the summer season at its swimming beaches and pools.
“Millions of people visit New York’s state parks in the summer months to swim in our pristine lakes or enjoy one of our many swimming pools,” said State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey. “Our hardworking and dedicated lifeguards help keep our patrons safe as they enjoy our swimming beaches and pools. It is a great way for high school and college students to earn money and gain valuable job experience in a very competitive economy.”
New York State Park lifeguards must be at least 16 years old and meet certain eligibility criteria, including passing a qualifying exam before being hired. Pre-registration for exams is strongly encouraged. For a complete schedule of exams and more information about hiring requirements, see below.
2011 Qualifications for All Regions except Long Island
- Minimum Age: 16 (preference is given to individuals 18 years of age and older)
- Prior to employment, you must have acceptable and current certifications in the following American Red Cross courses (or equivalent):
- Waterfront Lifeguarding – for all regions except NYC and Long Island.
- Lifeguarding – in the New York City Region
- CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer – which includes Adult and Child AED
- First aid if not included in Lifeguard Training course material – in all regions except Long Island
- Waterpark Lifeguarding certification for any lifeguard working at a park with water slides
- All Lifeguard candidates are subject to a criminal background check as a condition of employment
Consult with the Agency Water Safety Office for equivalent courses.
- Lifeguard and First Aid certificates must be dated within the last three years;
- CPR certificates must be dated within the last year;
- A lifeguard will be terminated from lifeguard employment if any required certificate lapses during the operating season (recertification is acceptable);
- Candidates must successfully complete the practical examination and any other training programs sanctioned by the Agency.
- New candidates must undergo an interview by regional staff; the purpose of which is to evaluate an individual’s maturity and ability to communicate.
- After receiving a “conditional” offer of employment, each NEW candidate will be required to submit a current “NYS Parks Medical Standards and Examination Findings” form, containing a Physician’s certification concerning the candidate.
- A minimum of 20/40 uncorrected vision is required in each eye. It is highly recommended that vision of 20/40 or better is corrected to 20/20.
- Candidates must be able to hear normal sounds in each ear.
- Returning lifeguards will be required to submit a notarized form stating they are physically capable of performing lifeguard duties, with no medical changes. A returning lifeguard may be required to secure a standard medical examination if there is any question concerning their physical status.
- All medical records will be held in confidence.
Long Island Region Qualifying Procedure
No qualifying procedure for the Long Island Region is currently scheduled. Please check back at a future date for further information.
To fill positions at Long Island State Parks where needed:
Jones Beach, Robert Moses, Sunken Meadow, Heckscher, Hither Hills, Montauk Downs, Orient Beach, and Wildwood
The minimum qualifications for taking the qualifying procedure and employment as a lifeguard are:
- Candidates must be at least 17 years of age by the date of the test – no exceptions.
- Candidates must be able to successfully complete both the Lifeguard Qualifying Procedure and the lifeguard training program. All candidates must attend 40 hours of required training in pay status before they can be considered for placement as New Hire lifeguards. First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer/AED certification requirements must be met on candidate’s own time prior to placement. No prior swimming certifications are necessary. Once hired, candidates will be trained and certified.
- All candidates participating in the Qualifying Procedure must present photo proof of age and identity prior to swim.
- Candidates must have at least 20/40 uncorrected vision in each eye. Contact lenses or glasses are not permitted.
Lifeguard Qualifying Procedure
Male candidates must wear either boxer, brief or board shorts when qualifying
Female candidates must wear a standard one piece or two piece bathing suit
- Four Lap Swim (Timed) 100 Yards at Nassau Community College
Applicant must finish swim in 75 seconds or less to continue. - Cross-Chest Carry (Timed) 50 Yards (25 Yard Swim; 25 Yard Cross-Chest Carry) at NCC
Applicant carries manikin in cross-chest position. Must complete the event in 70 seconds or less. - Ocean Swim (Timed) Approximately 350 to 400 Yards at JB West Bathhouse Oceanfront
Applicant must complete the swim on prescribed open water, run-swim-run course to continue. Stopping will result in being disqualified. - Beach Run – (Timed) 1200 Yards at JB West Bathhouse Oceanfront
Applicant must complete the run in six minutes or less to continue. Time may be adjusted to account for unusual tidal or surface conditions.
Note: All elements must be successfully completed to be considered qualified for hiring. (Not necessarily performed in this order.) Also, all candidates must provide their own transportation from NCC to Jones Beach West Bathhouse
After notification of successful completion, candidate must present the following documentation prior to employment:
- A form signed by a qualified physician stating that the candidate is able to perform “full lifeguard duties” (due only after candidate has received a conditional offer of employment) and meets acceptable standardized requirements.
- An original birth certificate indicating that the candidate is at least 17 years of age (current U.S. Passport may be presented in lieu of birth certificate at the time of hiring).
- An original Social Security Card.
- Candidates who are 17 years of age must present valid working papers.
- All New Hire candidates must present acceptable proof of employment eligibility and all candidates will be fingerprinted.
- All New Hire candidates must successfully complete 40 hours of lifeguard rookie training in pay status prior to reporting to their assigned work stations.
Immediately after successfully completing the procedure, Park assignments will be made in the West Bathhouse Pool meeting room.
OPRHP – Governor Cuomo Announces Unanimous Senate Confirmation of Parks and Rec Commissioner
Rose Harvey
Albany, NY – March 8, 2011 – Rose H. Harvey will serve as Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. For 27 years, Ms. Harvey has held multiple leadership positions with The Trust for Public Land. Ms. Harvey was a senior fellow at the Jonathan Rose Companies, where she acted as an advisor and researcher on parks and open space issues, and launched a non-profit organization to fund, design, and develop safe, well-managed parks in urban neighborhoods. She was also recently a McCluskey Fellow and Lecturer at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Ms. Harvey began her career in parks and open space at the Maryland Environmental Trust. Ms. Harvey received her B.A. from Colorado College in 1977 and M.E.S. at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in 1984.
Commissioner Harvey said, “New York’s world-class park system is a public treasure and part of our shared heritage. From the Adirondacks to the Finger Lakes to Long Island and beyond, every region of the state has wonderful open spaces and historical sites to enjoy. I will work diligently to promote and protect all of them. It is truly an honor and enormous responsibility to be chosen by Governor Cuomo to lead such a prestigious agency.”
Senator Betty Little, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, said, “Our state’s bountiful resources are unparalleled throughout the country. Therefore, we need a dedicated professional with a vast understanding of open space like Commissioner Harvey to maximize the accessibility, usage and stewardship of our state’s treasures. New York’s many parks and historic sites are in good hands, and I look forward to working with the new Commissioner in this vital role.”
Senator Jose M. Serrano, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, said, “New York’s incredible parks and historic sites are among the most diverse and invaluable resources in the state. Rose Harvey’s multifaceted credentials, passion, and experience in parks operation, development, protection and enhancement – particularly her work with urban areas and underserved communities – make her the ideal candidate to lead this agency. I commend Governor Cuomo for his selection, and I look forward to working with Ms. Harvey to preserve our state’s greatest gift to future generations.”
Kim Elliman, CEO of the Open Space Institute, said, “Rose’s lifetime of public service suits New York’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation well. She knows and believes in the importance that open spaces play in our daily lives and has fought tirelessly to protect them. Governor Cuomo has made a smart choice in selecting Rose as his nominee, and the Senate has done the right thing by promptly confirming her nomination.”
OPRHP – Testimony Before the Joint Fiscal Committees of the State Legislature on the FY 2011-12 Executive Budget
Thumbs up! No Park Closures.....
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation – Acting Commissioner Andy Beers – February 8, 2011 – Senate Finance Chair DeFrancisco and Assembly Ways & Means Chair Farrell, thank you for the opportunity to be with you today to discuss Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget proposal for State Parks for Fiscal Year 2011-12. Thank you also Senator Little and Assemblyman Englebright, Chairs of the Tourism & Parks Committees, as well as other members of the Senate and Assembly here today.
I am representing State Parks today as Acting Commissioner, having served in this role since last October. Governor Cuomo recently announced he will nominate Rose Harvey as the next State Parks Commissioner. Ms. Harvey, who expects to begin working later this month, brings a wealth of experience in parks and environmental issues to our agency, and she looks forward to working with you and your colleagues during this legislative session.
In his State of the State Address and Executive Budget presentation, Governor Cuomo forcefully articulated the severity of the fiscal challenges facing New York State and the need to right-size and redesign how government provides services to the people of our state. Governor Cuomo’s message has been crystal clear – maintaining the status quo is simply not an option. State spending over the past ten years has grown at more than double the rate of inflation. We can no longer spend beyond our means.
We at Parks are prepared to do our part in the budget while ensuring the continued operation of our facilities.
As all of you know, New York’s parks and historic sites are among New York’s great assets. State Parks has been entrusted with the care of 213 state parks and historic sites, which include many of the state’s most iconic landscapes – treasured places like Niagara Falls, Jones Beach, Bear Mountain, Green Lakes, Saratoga Spa, Allegany, Bethpage, Riverbank, Orient Point, Letchworth, and Hudson Highlands State Parks. The system also includes 35 historic sites that preserve and interpret critical elements of New York’s culture and history – including Washington’s Headquarters, Olana, Fort Niagara, Ganondagan, and the Darwin Martin House.
For more than a century, New York has invested in developing world-class park facilities, and today we have the most developed state park system in the nation. Our park system encompasses 5,000 buildings, 8,355 campsites, 817 cabins, 53 swimming pools, 76 swimming beaches, 29 golf courses, 27 marinas, 40 boat launch sites, 18 nature centers, more than 1,350 miles of trails, 106 dams, 640 bridges, hundreds of miles of roads, and hundreds of historic structures listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
We are incredibly fortunate and all benefit from the time, energy, and money that have been invested in these resources over the years. New York’s parks and historic sites are gifts given from one generation to the next. And this team at State Parks will continue to care for and improve upon these gifts in the next fiscal year, while managing the ten percent reduction in State Operations Funding required of all state agencies as part of closing the state’s $10 billion deficit.
I am confident that the ten percent reduction can be achieved without requiring new closures of state parks or historic sites by reevaluating our operations to identify additional efficiencies, eliminating redundancies, and examining how savings from actions taken in the current fiscal year will help us in the next fiscal year.
For the last two years, State Parks has undergone consistent review and faced many challenges, proving that we can do more with less and that in crisis there is also opportunity. Our management of past budget reductions has made us a more flexible, innovative, and efficient institution. When faced with insufficient resources to maintain a facility, we didn’t just shutter the building or lock the park. Instead we looked for synergies and partners in local governments, state and federal agencies, and private organizations, and we were able to keep our parks and facilities open to the public.
In the past year, we have reached agreements with local governments to operate Woodlawn Beach State Park in Erie County, Beechwood State Park in Wayne County, and Oak Orchard Boat Launch in Orleans County. Ownership of Empire Fulton Ferry State Park and the undeveloped South Beach property were transferred to New York City. And we reached an agreement under which the National Park Service is operating Oriskany Battlefield and Steuben Memorial State Historic Sites. We will continue to forge partnerships and find other creative solutions to better serve New Yorkers in the next fiscal year.
In response to the Governor’s call for a fresh look at how government operates, State Parks is initiating a comprehensive review of the agency’s operations to identify opportunities to achieve cost efficiencies by redesigning the way we do business. Potential areas of savings that we will continue to explore include:
- increased partnerships with local governments and non-profit organizations and exploration of opportunities for greater private sector involvement in state park operations;
- collaborative efforts and shared services with ESDC, DEC, DOT and other sister agencies;
- efforts to increase fundraising from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors; and
- technology investments that can boost agency productivity.
The 2011-12 Executive Budget contains $25 million in state funding for capital rehabilitation and improvement projects in our State Parks and Historic Sites:
- The budget makes $17.2 million available for State Park Infrastructure Fund (SPIF) capital projects, which is the same amount provided in 2010-11.
- The budget recommends $16.2 million from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) for capital “Stewardship” projects, of which $8.1 million is allocated to OPRHP (the other half of the Stewardship funds would be allocated to DEC). Given the State Park System’s substantial capital rehabilitation needs, the EPF Stewardship line is a critical source of funding for OPRHP’s capital program.
- The budget also provides appropriation authority for OPRHP to expend capital funds received from federal sources, mitigation projects, and private contributions.
You may recall that during fiscal years 2008-09 and 2009-10, State Parks received a total of $85 million of bonded “State Parks Capital Initiative” funds for park and historic site revitalization projects. I am pleased to report that all of these funds have been fully deployed, allowing the agency to complete hundreds of vitally important facility and infrastructure rehabilitation projects.
The Executive Budget contains $134 million for Environmental Protection Fund programs, which is the same amount provided in the current year. There are no proposed program off-loads to the EPF. The funding level and programmatic approach to the EPF was very welcome news for the environmental community, and many of the groups have been vocal in their support for the Governor’s budget.
OPRHP administers funding from four major EPF programs. In each case, the budget funding is continued at this year’s levels, honoring the Governor’s commitment to retain the EPF for traditional purposes:
- $16.2 million is provided for capital Stewardship projects, to be split between OPRHP and DEC.
- $13 million is allocated for matching grants to local governments and non-profits for park and historic preservation projects.
- $9 million is provided for grants to zoos, botanical gardens, aquaria, arboretums, and nature centers under the ZBGA program.
- $17.5 million is allocated to OPRHP’s and DEC’s open space land protection programs.
In conclusion, Governor Cuomo has clearly articulated the need for all parts of government to achieve costs savings and efficiencies in response to the fiscal crisis facing the state. State Parks is committed to fully participating in this effort, including implementing strategies to address the ten percent reduction to our General Fund appropriation, while maintaining the agency’s core mission and programs.
NYS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR – Governor Cuomo Nominates Rose Harvey as Commissioner of Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Rose Harvey
New York State Office of the Governor – 01/27/2011 – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the nomination of Rose H. Harvey as commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
“Rose Harvey’s experience and knowledge as well as her expertise creating countless cost-effective parks, playgrounds and open spaces in underserved communities with efficiency makes her the person we need to lead this agency,” Governor Cuomo said. “I thank her for her public service and look forward to working with her.”
Currently, Ms. Harvey is a senior fellow at the Jonathan Rose Companies, where she acts as an advisor and researcher on parks and open space issues, and launched a non-profit organization to fund, design and develop safe, well-managed parks in urban neighborhoods. She was also recently a McCluskey Fellow and Lecturer at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
For 27 years, Ms. Harvey held multiple leadership positions with The Trust for Public Land, most recently as Senior Vice President and National Director of Urban Programs. There, she oversaw all real estate acquisitions, urban park design and developments, managed the finances of a $20 million annual operating budget, and closed between $50 and $75 million worth of land and parks transactions each year across 8 states – a total of nearly $1 billion and more than a thousand new and enhanced parks, gardens and playgrounds in underserved neighborhoods in New York City, Newark, N.J. and Baltimore. She has also established large landscape woodlands and natural areas throughout New York State and the Mid-Atlantic region.
Ms. Harvey began her tenure in the parks and open space arena as the Assistant Director for Conservation Easement at the Maryland Environmental Trust, where she negotiated protections of private lands holding environmental significance.
Ms. Harvey received her B.A. from Colorado College in 1977 and M.E.S. at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in 1984. She currently serves on the Board of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the Yale Leadership Advisory Council. In the past she has served on many conservation organizations, including the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Hudson River Institute and Walsh Park Low Income Housing. In addition to multiple state and national awards for her environmental stewardship and advocacy for open space and parks, Ms. Harvey has written multiple articles and op/eds in numerous national media outlets and industry trade journals.
Lucy Rockefeller Waletzky, M.D., Chair of the New York State Council of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, said, “Ms. Harvey has been key to many of the great additions to state parks of the past 20 years. I look forward to working with her to foster strong private-public partnerships that protect and enhance New York’s parks, open spaces and heritage. I am also deeply committed to working with Governor Cuomo’s administration in preserving our state’s recreational landscapes and natural resources.”
Frances Beinecke, President of Natural Resource Defense Council, said, “Ms. Harvey’s decades of experience in creating hundreds of parks and thousands of acres of open space makes her the perfect choice to lead New York’s agency tasked with protecting and preserving public land. I applaud Governor Cuomo for selecting such a dedicated professional.
Ned Sullivan, President of Scenic Hudson, said, “Rose Harvey brings to this critical job sterling credentials and experience in land conservation and in creating and managing urban gardens and parks. Governor Cuomo has selected an outstanding candidate to help him implement his broad reform agenda and to meet the state’s responsibilities as steward of our unparalleled parkland.”
Kim Elliman, CEO of the Open Space Institute, said, “Rose brings an unparalleled passion for providing all New Yorkers with access to parks and open space. Throughout her 30 year career, she has built an incredible track record of creating and protecting parks, from vest-pocket parks in cities to landscape parks like Sterling Forest. She is singularly qualified for the job and I commend Governor Cuomo for his selection.”
Leslie Wright, New York State Director for The Trust for Public Land, said, “Governor Cuomo’s selection of Ms. Harvey as Commissioner for the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation shows that he is serious about maintaining open space and making it accessible to as many New Yorkers as possible. Ms. Harvey’s storied career in establishing parks, playgrounds and gardens in urban areas, combined with her ongoing advocacy for open space makes her the ideal candidate to lead this agency.”
Save Riverbank 