Frequently Asked Questions

What is I Love My Park Day?

I Love My Park Day is an exciting new statewide event to improve and enhance New York’s parks and historic sites and bring visibility to the entire park system and its needs. Volunteers from across the state participate in cleanup, improvement, and beautification events at New York State parks and historic sites. Volunteers celebrate New York’s park system by cleaning up park lands and beaches, planting trees and gardens, restoring trails and wildlife habitat, removing invasive species, and working on various site improvement projects.

Why Hold an I Love My Park Day?

New Yorkers love their parks. Volunteers are willing to help maintain the beauty of New York’s treasured state parks and historic sites. Friends groups and volunteers are more important than ever to keep parks beautiful, clean, and welcoming for all to visit and enjoy.

In addition to helping your park or historic site, I Love My Park Day gives your group greater visibility in the community, helping to bring in new volunteers and build new partnerships.

How is it Organized?

Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) – in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and local friends groups – coordinates the event on the statewide level, providing outreach, promotion, technical assistance and this how-to organizer’s kit for friends groups to use for their individual events. Friends groups and park staff oversee cleanup, improvement and beautification projects and work with volunteers. The NY State Commission on National and Community Service is joining the effort this year to help recruit volunteers, promote the initiative and engage AmeriCorps members to support to projects across the state.

When is it?

I Love My Park Day is always the first Saturday in May, as proclaimed by Governor Cuomo. In 2013, I Love My Park Day is Saturday, May 4, 2013.

29 Elk Street * Albany, NY 12207 * (ph) 518-434-1583 * (fax) 518-427-0067 * ptny@ptny.org