In The News

July, 2018

VIDEO: Biking New York's Parks and Trails

Spectrum News--Capital Region

As bicycling gets more popular, some businesses are starting to cater to cyclists -- from offering accommodations like bike racks to keeping some repair tools on hand. For those that really go above and beyond, Parks and Trails New York has a bike-friendly New York certification. And they encourage riders to patronize those places. James Meerdink of Park and Trails New York joins the show to explain more. It's all part of their 400 mile bike trip from Buffalo to Albany along the Erie Canal.

Cycle the Erie Canal takes pit stop in Rome

Utica Observer Dispatch

It was like its own temporary city — rows and rows of tents set up with vehicles on the lawn. On Thursday, the 20th annual Parks & Trails New York’s Cycle the Erie Canal Tour stopped in Rome and set up camp at Fort Stanwix. The nine-day event, which began in Buffalo and concludes Sunday in Albany, will continue Friday morning after breakfast at the Rome YMCA.

Hundreds of Erie Canal cyclists to pass through Seneca and Cayuga Counties

auburnpub.com

More than 700 cyclists participating in the 20th annual 400-mile Cycle the Erie Canal tour departed Buffalo on Sunday and will reach Cayuga County this week, a Parks & Trails New York press release said.

700 cyclists make 400-mile cross-state bicycle trip in celebration of Erie Canal Bicentennial

Binghamton Homepage

On July 8, more than 700 cyclists left their cars behind to pedal along the historic Erie Canalway Trail from Buffalo to Albany in celebration of the Erie Canal Bicentennial and Barge Canal Centennial. They arrive in Syracuse on Wednesday, July 11, on the fourth day of the 20th annual 400-mile Cycle the Erie Canal tour, organized by the statewide nonprofit group Parks & Trails New York.

Erie Canal Bicycle Tour Makes Stop in Rochester on Way to Albany

Spectrum News--Rochester

Hundreds of bicyclists are leaving Fairport Tuesday morning with their sights set on Seneca Falls. More than 700 cyclists spent the night in Fairport after visiting Genesee Valley Park in Rochester. It's all part of their 400 mile bike trip from Buffalo to Albany along the Erie Canal.

June, 2018

Long Islanders show love to Wantagh parks

Long Island Herald

On May 5, about 200 Long Islanders helped beautify and prepare both parks for the summer season as part of the seventh annual I Love My Park Day, hosted by Parks & Trails New York, a non-profit environmental advocacy group, in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. These locals were a fraction of the 1,800 volunteers who helped clean up and improve 23 of Long Island’s state and national parks, historic sites and public lands.

State program encourages businesses to become more bike friendly

RochesterFirst.com

More businesses in New York State are becoming bike friendly. That’s according to the program Bike Friendly New York, which certifies businesses that provide accommodations for cyclists.

Friends of Reinstein Woods to Hire Development Manager after Grant Receipt

Lancaster Bee

Parks & Trails New York's Park and Trail Partnership Program has awarded Friends of Reinstein Woods a $47,411 grant to hire a development manager, the nonprofit support organization at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve in Depew announced Monday.

May, 2018

Street Beat: Wed is Bike To School Day in Orangetown

Nyack News & Views

Parks & Trails NY is conducting the bike study for Orangetown, with a particular focus on offering cyclists of all ages and abilities safe connections to schools, parks, Orangetown’s various business districts, the existing trail network, and the shared use path on the new Mario M. Cuomo Tappan Zee Bridge.

NYS Senator Phil Boyle Hosts Annual “I Love My Parks” Day

LongIsland.com

Senator Boyle showed his support for all the work volunteers were accomplishing during the annual event that took place at Connetquot State Park, Heckscher State Park, Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Belmont Lake and Robert Moses State Park, amongst other parks around N.Y State.

Environmental Conservation Events Being Held For "I Love My Park Day"

WAMC 90.3 -- National Public Radio

The New York State Department of Parks and Recreation is partnering with Parks & Trails New York for the annual “I Love My Park Day.” Volunteers are expected to participate in conservation events statewide Saturday. The Catskill Interpretive Center, the visitor center for Catskill Park, is coordinating multiple projects.

Parks Cleanup Near the Hudson River Boosts Long-term Preservation

Poughkeepsie Journal

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park also got a spring cleaning on Saturday, thanks to I Love My Park Day. This outdoors initiative — also scheduled for Staatsburgh State Historic Site in Staatsburg and Stony Kill Farm and Environmental Education Center in Wappingers Falls — was held statewide. Parks & Trails New York, the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the National Park Service all took part in I Love My Park Day.

Thousands help clean up LI nature for I Love My Park Day

Newsday

Thousands of volunteers across the state and on Long Island took to their parks Saturday, picking up trash, painting bike racks and trimming brush for the seventh annual I Love My Park Day. There were 8,000 volunteers at the more than 135 participating state parks, historic sites and national parks statewide, including 1,800 volunteers on Long Island, said Alison Jenkins, executive director of advocacy group Parks & Trails New York, which works with the state on the event.

VIDEO: Volunteers Show a Little Love to Their State Parks

Spectrum News

Saturday was a perfect day to head out to the park. Across New York State, thousands of volunteers did just that. It was I Love My Park Day and more than 135 state and national parks as well as historic sites participated, including Green Lakes and Delta Lake State Parks.

April, 2018

Volunteers wanted for I Love My Park Day activities

The Buffalo News

New York will celebrate the seventh annual I Love My Park Day on Saturday with volunteers lending a hand to improve more than 135 state parks, historic sites and public lands, and national parks. The day is coordinated by Parks & Trails New York and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, in partnership with local Friends groups and with financial support from AT&T.

Parks, historic sites across New York prepare for "I Love My Park Day"

WKBW--ABC Buffalo

Grant Cottage group hires development assistant

Post Star

One of the grant recipients of our Parks & Trails Partnership Program has put their funding into action by hiring a new part-time staff member.

Community cleanups were a job well done

Lockport Journal

It took long enough but the weather finally broke this past weekend, allowing dozens of volunteers in places like Lockport, Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda to get outside and do some much-needed spring cleaning. In Lockport, the weekend featured the third annual Lockport Clean Sweep, which coincided with a statewide Canal Clean Sweep effort involving other communities along the Erie Canal, including North Tonawanda.

NYS State Canal System Celebrates 100 Years with Canal Clean Sweep, Part of Earth Day Observance

WAER 88.3 - Syracuse

The 100th year of the New York State Canal System was celebrated over the weekend with at least 100 Earth Day Events. The “Canal Clean Sweep” had volunteers at sites along the 524 mile canal putting some gloves on and getting to work just ahead of the canal season. Parks and Trails New York Spokesperson James Meerdink said he appreciates their hard work.

How will funding for parks' capital projects be used?

Spectrum News

SPECTRUM NEWS VIDEO: Focusing first on New York state, this year's budget includes $90 million in funding for capital projects for the New York State Parks system. It also includes $500,000 for the Park and Trail Partnership Program, a grant program for grassroots "Friends" organizations. Alison Jenkins from Parks & Trails New York and Audrey Bent from Friends of Schodack Island State Park join the show.