Provides for establishment of the urban open space program in the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation; establishes fund; appropriation

Title of bill

An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law and the state finance law, in relation to providing for the establishment of the urban open space program and establishing the urban open space program fund; and making an appropriation therefor

Purpose or general idea of bill

Provides for the establishment of the Open Space Program Fund in the office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 amends the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law by adding a new article 18, creating the Open Space Program.

Section 2 amends the State Finance Law by adding a new section 97-pppp, which creates the Open Space Program Fund.

Section 3 provides for an appropriation from the state's general fund.

Section 4 sets the effective date.

Justification

Many of New York State's low income urban communities suffer from a dramatic absence of parkland and open space. Parklands and open spaces enhance the urban environment and promote the health, safety and welfare of inner city residents by reducing air and noise pollution, reducing temperatures--thereby reducing the amount of energy consumed in heating and Cooling many urban buildings, assisting in watershed management, providing habitats for desirable urban vegetation and wildlife, providing shade, preserving natural resources and enhancing real estate values.

In an effort to acquire and/or preserve open spaces in low-income communities, this measure provides for the establishment of the Urban Open Space Program (UOS) and appropriates 10 million dollars to DOS, which cities can utilize to acquire, create, expand, improve, conserve and/or protect open spaces in their communities.

Legislative history

2011-12: A.561 Referred to Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development/S.6931 Referred to Finance 2013-14: 5.368 Referred to Finance/ A.1648 Referred to Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development

Fiscal implications

$10 million dollars will be appropriated to the UOS fund from any moneys in the State Treasury in the General Fund to the credit of the state purposes account not otherwise appropriated for services and expenses of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this act.

Effective date

Immediately.