Friends of Clermont Receives Grant to Improve Visitor Services Area Program Space & Accessibility.

For Immediate Release: January 20, 2026

Contact: Randy Tryon

(518) 537-6622

director@friendsofclermont.org  

Germantown, NY – Friends of Clermont was awarded a $111,027 matching grant from the Environmental Protection Fund’s Park and Trail Partnership Grants program to improve the Visitor Services Area Program Space & Accessibility at Clermont State Historic Site. Friends of Clermont will have to raise an additional $11,103 in matching funds, for a total of $122,130.

The grant is one of 27 awards totaling $2.25 million for organizations dedicated to the stewardship and promotion of New York’s state parks and historic sites, trails, and public lands. The grants will be matched with private and local funding and will support projects to strengthen Friends groups and enhance public access and recreational opportunities.

Friends groups—nonprofit organizations often made up entirely of volunteers—are essential to the stewardship and promotion of our state park system. These dedicated groups raise private funds for capital projects, perform maintenance tasks, provide educational programming, and promote public use through hosting special events.

The Park and Trail Partnership Grants program, celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year, is administered by Parks & Trails New York, a statewide non-profit organization, in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White said, “New Yorkers statewide are experiencing the benefits of restored trails, enhanced visitor centers, and engaging programs that foster a deeper connection with the outdoors. For the past decade, Park and Trail Partnership Grants have been instrumental in making these experiences possible by supporting the dedicated local organizations that steward our public lands. This year's record-breaking awards will ensure that these vital sites continue to educate, inspire, and warmly welcome all who visit.”

Friends of Clermont Executive Director Randy Tryon said, “We are grateful to Parks & Trails New York for this grant, which will significantly enhance the visitor experience at Clermont. By improving accessibility and programming space, we will be able to host more engaging educational and community programs while ensuring that visitors of all abilities can fully participate. These improvements will make Clermont more welcoming, inclusive, and better equipped to serve the diverse audiences who come to learn from and enjoy the site.”

The Friends of Clermont is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1977 to support the work of New York State in conserving the living legacy of Clermont State Historic Site. They engage their varied users to explore the multifaceted assets of the site by broadening use, access, and enjoyment.

To view a list of all Round 11 awardees, please visit: https://www.ptny.org/ptpg-round-11-awardees/

More information on Park and Trail Partnership Grants can be found at www.ptny.org or by calling 518-434-1583 x3.