New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes of the State Council of Parks

Chronological.

The State Council of Parks was established in 1924 (Chapter 189) to be a statewide advisory body regarding all matters affecting parks, recreation, and historic preservation. It was renamed the State Council of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in 1981 (Chapter 679) and consists of the commissioner of Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the commissioner of Environmental Conservation, and the chairpersons of 11 regional commissions, along with the chair of the State Board of Historic Preservation. These officials, all appointed by the governor, review policy, budget, and statewide plans of OPRHP and provide advice. Past members have included Robert Moses.

Although the council took a more proactive policy-making role prior to 1970 when OPRHP was established, it has played a significant role in the development and operation of state parks and historic sites, and in the development of policies affecting the preservation and access to cultural and geographical historical assets of New York.

The minutes typically include roll call; reading and approval of minutes of previous meeting; resolutions; budget reports; regional reports; reports of historic preservation activities; reports on significant legislation; secretary's report; other reports on planning, activities, and meetings; and other business. The early minutes are contained in binders along with associated appendices and attachments. Beginning in 1984 the minutes are contained in file folders with "member meeting packets" adjacent to them. The packets contain agenda and a variety of other documents used at the meetings such as budget material, resolutions, proposals to the legislature, and reports.

Also included in the series is a directory (1976) which includes a council membership roster; Office of Parks and Recreation executive staff names, business and home telephone numbers, and residences; and similar information for members of regional state park and recreational commissions.

19611-07: Container list is available at the repository.

19611-97: Folder list is available at the repository.

This accession resulted from a project undertaken by Archives staff in 1997 to accession or reintegrate estrayed or unidentified records.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.