The New York Office of Parks and Recreation (OPR) is committed to upgrading and expanding its interpretive programs in the state park system with a major goal being to enrich, vitalize, and complement content areas of the school curriculum by providing first-hand observation and experience outside the classroom. The legislative mandate of the OPR includes encouraging, promoting, and engaging in educational endeavors; this responsibility is met by construction and operation of nature centers, creation of on-going interpretive programs in large state parks and urban parklands, and development of urban cultural parks. Two nature education centers are now in operation, three additional centers are under construction, and two cooperative pilot programs are training teachers in environmental education. Many traditional interpretive programs are maintained, e.g., nature trails with brochures for self-guided walks; and non-traditional programs have been developed for the visually and physically handicapped and for children of migrant workers. A statewide system of urban cultural parks, created by state legislation in 1977, will be developed to increase recognition and appreciation of urban cultural and natural resources. This program, in conjunction with urban parklands, is designed to provide New York's growing urban population with accessible open spaces and rewarding experiences in the out-of-doors. (JH)