Introduction
Municipally owned parkland and open space are nonrenewable resources which are carefully preserved in all communities. Once lost to another use, open space is difficult to
recover. For this reason, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation strongly endorses the maintenance and expansion of municipal parks and open
space, and the recreational opportunities they offer. State Parks encourages a “no net loss of parkland” policy.
While the preservation of municipal parks and open space is our goal, State Parks recognizes that in certain instances a municipality may conclude that a change in parkland use may be
necessary to advance public purposes. When a proposal for such a change in parkland use is made, State Parks encourages a careful evaluation of the proposed change and the impacts
expected from that change. Municipal decision-makers should also be aware of, and ensure compliance with, legal requirements applicable to the proposed change of use.
This Handbook has been prepared for use by municipalities and individuals who have an interest in the process and the deliberations involved in the change of use of municipal
parkland and open space. At the outset, it is important to know that there are two procedures that may be triggered when a municipality wishes to change the way it uses parkland. These
two procedures are known as parkland “alienation” and, in some instances, parkland “conversion.”
Download The Handbook on the Alienation and Conversion of Municipal Parkland
