Bill > A07736

This bill requires the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to establish comprehensive design standards for greenway trails, which are defined as shared-use paths separated from roadways, at least six feet wide, with a relatively flat surface, used for non-motorized transportation and recreation. The bill empowers the office to promulgate rules that identify best practices for trail design, including specifications for road crossings and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The office will now have the authority to review and potentially deny new greenway trail applications or expansion/modification proposals that do not conform to these established standards, with the requirement to provide a written public justification for any denials. Importantly, the bill specifies that these design standards cannot require additional uses or prohibit existing uses on greenway trails. The new provisions will take effect 180 days after becoming law, giving the office time to develop and implement the new design standards and review procedures for greenway trails across the state.

Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7736