N.Y. Highway Law § 20: Roadside rest areas

§ 20. Roadside rest areas. 1. The commissioner of transportation is

hereby authorized and empowered to acquire roadside sites along state

highways and to develop roadside rest areas. The commissioner may

utilize for this purpose suitable lands already owned by the state,

except that use of any such lands in the forest preserve or under the

jurisdiction of the department of environmental conservation shall first

be approved by the commissioner of environmental conservation and the

use of any lands under the jurisdiction of the office of parks and

recreation shall first be approved by the commissioner of parks and

recreation.

2. Such sites shall be so located as to give convenient and safe

access thereto by vehicular traffic and shall be chosen with regard both

to the roadside rest and recreational needs of the traveling public and

suitability for the purpose.

3. The commissioner may in his discretion develop such sites by

providing any or all of the following: a water supply, sanitary

facilities, parking space for automobiles or such other non-commercial

facilities as are suitable for rest and relaxation stops by highway

travelers. The commissioner may also permit the installation of vending

machines dispensing such food, drink and other articles as he deems

appropriate or desirable. Such sites shall be suitably marked and

markings indicating their location may be erected on highways leading

thereto.

4. At the discretion of the commissioner such rest areas may be

maintained by state expenses from any appropriation for the maintenance

of state highways, or he may enter into agreement with any authorized

municipality for the maintenance by the municipality of such a roadside

rest area for such period and in accordance with such standards as may

be agreed upon.