NY park lovers get chance to help spruce up their favorite
Participants in a seal walk at Montauk Point State Park. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
Love your park?
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation certainly hopes so. Next month, the state agency will host its 11th annual "I Love My Park Day" — when volunteers can help in cleanup efforts at nearly 150 state parks, historic sites and public lands throughout New York.
The event, scheduled for May 7, is hosted by the parks department and the state Department of Environmental Conservation and Parks & Trails New York.
The idea is to enhance and ensure the cleanliness of state parks and historic sites while raising awareness and visibility of those state recreation assets.
Volunteers will assist in cleaning up debris, planting trees and gardens, restoring trails and wildlife habitats, removing invasive species and lending a hand on improvement projects.
Parks & Trail New York is a leading statewide advocate for parks and trails across the state.
There are more than 1,500 miles of greenways, bike paths, river walks and trails in New York.
The office of State Parks, Recreations and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 sites, including trails, golf courses, boat launches and other recreational areas.
Last year, 78.4 million people visited the sites, generating $5 billion in visitor spending and helping to support about 54,000 jobs, officials said.
"Our volunteers are crucial to making our park system a success and thanks to our partners at Parks & Trails New York, I Love My Park Day continues to offer amazing opportunities to celebrate the stewardship of the outdoors," State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said in a statement Wednesday, adding: "I look forward to welcoming new and returning volunteers to help improve our parks and communities.”
Also in a statement, State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said: “I Love My Park Day is an excellent opportunity for New Yorkers to get outdoors and cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards helping to maintain and preserve the natural beauty of our State lands. These resources belong to all of us, our families, and our neighbors, and working together we can all do our part to protect our State parks, historic sites, and public lands for future generations to cherish and enjoy.
Those interested in the "I Love My Park Day" event can find sign up information at: https://www.ptny.org/events/i-love-my-park-day.
For more information on the network of state recreation areas, visit www.parks.ny.gov, or download the free State Parks Explorer mobile app. Info is also available via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or by calling the state parks department at 518-474-0456.
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 21 Massapequa, Miller Place wrestling champs Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks about Massapequa and Miller Place wrestling teams winning state dual meet championships and Jonathan Ruban takes a look at the undefeated Northport girls basketball team.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 21 Massapequa, Miller Place wrestling champs Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks about Massapequa and Miller Place wrestling teams winning state dual meet championships and Jonathan Ruban takes a look at the undefeated Northport girls basketball team.
