Parks & Trails New York - I Love My Park Day

Showing NYS Parks and Historic Sites Some Love
First-ever I Love My Park Day a success!

Thanks to the thousands of volunteers who pitched in on Saturday the first-ever I Love My Park Day was a huge success.

Parks & Trails New York organized I Love My Park Day, in partnership with the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), to improve and enhance state parks and historic sites; boost volunteerism; and raise the visibility of the entire state parks system and its needs.

Governor Cuomo works with volunteers on I Love My Park Day. Governor Cuomo works with volunteers on I Love My Park Day.

Parks and historic sites enhanced
Volunteers took part in dozens of cleanup, improvement, and beautification projects at 40 state parks and historic sites around the state. At Allegany State Park, volunteers and park staff worked together to restore the historic Sweetwater Spring. At Thacher State Park, young and old helped clear trails, plant flowers and build a bridge. Hundreds of volunteers cleaned the shores of Green, Bowman, Rockland, and Hempstead Lakes. At FDR State Park, volunteers - including Governor Cuomo - put together dozens of new picnic tables.

Headlines tout love for parks
Governor Cuomo's participation and invitation to all New Yorkers to volunteer on Saturday put our state parks system, its needs, and the strong public support for parks in the public's eye. The event even went national - PTNY Executive Director Robin Dropkin was interviewed on The Weather Channel. See some of the TV and print coverage around the state.

A boost to volunteerism
New and veteran volunteers came out to give back to the parks they use and enjoy all year and create a community of park lovers. Many park and historic site friends groups enjoyed the best turnout ever for a volunteer event.

PTNY Executive Director Robin Dropkin with NYS Governor Cuomo. PTNY Executive Director Robin Dropkin with NYS Governor Cuomo.

What's Next
Together, we will build on the tremendous momentum generated by I Love My Park Day. PTNY will be working with OPRHP and friends groups to build on the success of the event by engaging new volunteers, building a strong community of park stewards, and expanding friends groups' capacity.

A big thank you to Governor Cuomo, our sponsors, and everyone who came out, rolled up their sleeves, and helped make I Love My Park Day a huge success!

I Love My Park Day at FDR State Park