S 4415: Enacts the "parks are growing act"; directs the commissioners of parks, recreation and historic preservation, agriculture and markets, and environmental conservation to conduct a land assessment of suitable areas of land for establishing floral and vegetable garden plots and introducing pollinator-friendly species, and to develop and implement a plan pursuant to such land assessment.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 4415 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN SENATE February 4, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sen. MAY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation AN ACT in relation to enacting the "parks are growing act" The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as 2 the "parks are growing act". 3 § 2. The commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation 4 shall, in conjunction with the commissioner of agriculture and markets 5 and the commissioner of environmental conservation, conduct a land 6 assessment of New York state parks regarding the current condition of 7 such state parks, and shall develop and implement a plan for the 8 increased use of such state parks for farming, gardening, and introduc- 9 tion of pollinator-friendly plant species across the state. Such land 10 assessment and plan shall include, but not be limited to: 11 1. An assessment of suitable areas of land in each state park for 12 establishing floral and vegetable garden plots and introducing pollina- 13 tor-friendly plant species. The following criteria shall be considered 14 in conducting such assessments: 15 (a) locations easily accessible by walking and/or car; 16 (b) locations of continuously undisturbed, arable land of at least 17 half an acre in size; 18 (c) locations with soil types suitable for growing flowers and crops; 19 (d) locations deemed appropriate for plants native to the state, 20 composed of a variety of nectar and pollen-rich flowers with a wide 21 range and variety of shapes, sizes, and colors that blossom at various 22 times throughout the year; and 23 (e) locations that will enhance enjoyment of the park by the general 24 public; EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD08682-01-5 
 S. 4415 2 1 2. A map of each state park deemed to have met the criteria under 2 subdivision one of this section along with a sketch of the area deemed 3 to have met such criteria and such park's estimated size; 4 3. For each state park, a list of the native plants and/or crops that 5 could be expected to grow in each such park, based upon the USDA Plant 6 Hardiness Zone Map for each region; and 7 4. A list of local organizations which may provide partnership in 8 service of the annual maintenance of each state park's garden plots. 9 Such organizations may include but shall not be limited to: 10 (a) boys and girls clubs; 11 (b) girl scouts and scouting america; 12 (c) local gardening clubs; 13 (d) senior living programs; 14 (e) BOCES programs; 15 (f) Future Farmers of America clubs; or 16 (g) 4-H gardening clubs. 17 § 3. The land assessment directed to be completed under section two of 18 this act shall be completed no later than one year after the effective 19 date of this act, when upon such date, the implementation of the plan 20 developed pursuant to section two of this act shall begin. 21 § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.