New York § 20 - 20Roadside rest areas

§ 20. 20Roadside 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.