Lawmakers press for park capital, New York Swims funding and support for zoos, botanical gardens and cultural infrastructure
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Summary
Senators and Assembly members said capital and programmatic funding for state parks, New York Swims, zoos and cultural institutions are priorities; lawmakers also asked for funds to protect museum collections.
Senators and Assembly members said state parks and cultural infrastructure are priorities in the budget talks, with an emphasis on capital repairs to aging park systems and programmatic investments.
"Our parks infrastructure is an aging infrastructure... it needs a lot of help," said Senator Marco Serrano, chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, citing heavy usage at flagship parks such as Bear Mountain.
Assembly Member Ron Kim said parks generate substantial economic activity in Upstate New York and said the Assembly added $50,000,000 for the "New York Swims" program and restored $10,000,000 for zoos and botanical gardens. He also said he supports additional capital funding for parks and trails.
Kim asked for an additional $10,000,000 to shore up infrastructure at the Metropolitan Museum's basement, saying without those upgrades the museum risks damage to collections. Lawmakers said programmatic and capital allocations for parks and cultural institutions will be part of the three‑way negotiations.