Three Favorite Things About Our Members: A PTNY Love Note

“I grew up in the mid-Hudson Valley. My reason for supporting Parks & Trails New York: it’s my gift to New York State.”

--Barbara, member since 2011

In these difficult times, we want to take an opportunity to highlight a group of people we truly appreciate—our members.

Since public green spaces are more important than ever, we want to give a tip of our hat to our members who help protect and enhance these treasured places.

Top Three Reasons Why We Love Our Members:

• They have an impact.
• They are committed.
• They are motivated by joy.

From advocating for parks and trails in Albany to volunteering to pull invasive plants, our members have an out-sized impact.Their support has led to more than a $900 million re-investment in our state park system over the past decade, the creation of the Empire State Trail, longest multi-use trail in the nation, legislation for the first environmental bond act since 1996, and the growth of grassroots state park Friends groups to 76 strong—just to name a few.

Many of our members have been working alongside us for several decades.They value the beauty, economic impact, and environmental and health benefits that outdoor places provide to our communities. As we’ve seen from the recent increased use of our public green spaces—77 million visits in 2019 to state parks (and that’s pre-Covid!)—we need advocates now more than ever.

Our Members, first and foremost, are driven by their love and caring for the outdoors.They support Parks & Trails New York for the joy they experience when they're out in nature.

“I just want to thank Parks & Trails New York for being there, for standing up for the green spaces of New York--the trails and parks and recreation that we can enjoy largely because of their advocacy.”

--Michael, member since 2001

There are so many reasons and so many ways to #ShowParksLove right now. Reach out to us on social media via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to share why and how you’re supporting the green spaces that sustain us during I Love My Park Month this May!

And, of course, please consider becoming a member of Parks & Trails New York! Contact our Director of Development—Linden Horvath—if you have any questions, or just want to tell us what your parks and trails mean to you.