Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF, WE - Sag Harbor) announced today that the Montauk Downs and Sag Harbor State Parks are receiving $75,000 and $60,000, respectively, for sanitary system upgrades, as part of the “NY Parks 2020” plan. The funding, included in the 2018-19 State Budget, continues a major transformation of the park system that began in 2011.

The “NY Parks 2020” plan is a multi-year commitment to leverage a broad range of private and public funding to invest approximately $900 million in State Parks from 2011 to 2020. To date, the initiative has invested $700 million in 176 parks and historic sites - including installing 76 playgrounds, conserving 14,000 acres of buffer lands, rehabilitating 200 miles of trails, and beginning the building or improvement of 300 cabins and cottages and 30 nature and cultural centers. Fifty-five percent of the funding has been to repair and improve basic infrastructure – sewer, water systems, roads, bridges, culverts, bathrooms, electrical system and internet connectivity.

The initiative is also prioritizing the transformation of 31 flagship parks and parks that served communities that lack access to outdoor recreation—these parks serve 80 percent of the system's visitation. In the same period, park visitation has increased 23 percent to 71 million visitors last year. A new progress report, "Building Better Parks," details how the investment is modernizing and transforming the park system. View the report here.

In addition to $70 million in construction projects, the 2018-19 State budget provides $20 million for various system-wide improvements, such as investment in signage, technology, natural resource stewardship - and allocates funding for design of future projects, emergencies, engineering and construction oversight.

This year’s funding, $90 million, is allocated for revitalization and rehabilitation projects at nearly 50 State parks and historic sites across New York.