Carol Ash Confirmed as Commissioner of Office of Parks & Recreation

ALBANY, NY (04/18/2007)(readMedia)-- Carol Ash was confirmed today as the Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation by the New York State Senate. She had been serving as Acting Commissioner of the OPRHP since January 1, 2007. As Commissioner, Ash will oversee the state's more than 200 parks and historic sites, as well as the State Historic Preservation Office.

"I am honored and excited by this opportunity," said Ash. "I look forward to working with Governor Spitzer and his administration to protect and improve New York's unique and invaluable state parks and historic sites."

Among the specific goals identified by Ash as she begins her tenure at OPRHP are improving park infrastructure, enhancing educational and interpretive programming and fostering stronger relationships with community partners.

Ash has a notable record of conservation and preservation. She has worked with State Parks since 1999 as the Executive Director of the Palisades Interstate Park Commissioner (PIPC), where she managed 19 of New York's state parks and historic sites. In her tenure with PIPC, Ash led land acquisition efforts with properties such as Sterling Forest and Minnewaska State Park Preserve, supported clean energy initiatives including geothermal technology at the Bear Mountain Inn and oversaw the establishment of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, the only institution in the nation which pays tribute to Purple Heart recipients.

A leading advocate for the environment, Ash has more than 20 years of service and experience in the field. She served as the State Director of the Nature Conservancy from 1994 - 1999; as the Director of Environmental Policy Management for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from 1992 - 1994; and for seven years prior, she was a Regional Director with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation administers 176 state parks, 35 state historic sites and 19 heritage areas. For more information about state parks and historic sites in New York, please visit www.nysparks.com.

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