5,000 Volunteers to Participate in I Love My Park Day on May 2

The state’s largest single-day volunteer event will span more than 160 locations.

Albany, NY – On Saturday, May 2, an estimated 5,000 volunteers are expected to participate in I Love My Park Day, the state’s largest single-day volunteer event, with projects taking place at more than 160 sites across New York.

Organized by Parks & Trails New York in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the event engages volunteers in a range of site improvement activities at state parks, historic sites, and other public lands.

As part of New York State’s 25 Million Trees by 2033 Initiative, sites will be planting more than 2,000 bareroot seedlings, generously provided by the Saratoga Tree Nursery. Projects will also include trail maintenance, shoreline and park clean-up, garden planting, invasive species removal, and habitat restoration. These efforts support the ongoing maintenance and preservation of public lands and provide critical assistance to park staff.

Now in its 15th year, I Love My Park Day continues to serve as a coordinated statewide initiative to promote volunteer stewardship and enhance the condition and accessibility of New York’s outdoor spaces.

More than 2,500 volunteers have registered to date. Additional participants are encouraged to sign up in advance.

For more information and to view events: https://www.ptny.org/events/i-love-my-park-day

About Parks & Trails New York

Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) is the state’s leading advocate for public lands. In the 40 years since our founding, PTNY has continued to be the state’s leading advocate for public lands–dedicated since 1985 to improving our health, economy, and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of green space. With thousands of members and supporters across the state, PTNY is a leading voice in the protection of New York’s magnificent state park system and the creation and promotion of more than 2,000 miles of greenways, bike paths, river walks, and trails. PTNY’s trail programs, which aim to transform unused transportation and other corridors into vibrant public places, have furthered dozens of trail projects and hundreds of miles of trail. For more information, visit www.ptny.org

About New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is a distinguished agency that oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more demonstrates a commitment to preserving and enhancing New York’s natural, recreational, and cultural heritage. In 2021, OPRHP recorded 78.4 million visitors to the various locations. The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation strives to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic and cultural resources. Learn more at New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (ny.gov)

About New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is a government agency tasked with maintaining, improving, and safeguarding New York’s natural resources and environment. The DEC manages all the state-owned lands in New York State; with a mission to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being. To accomplish this, their goal is through the simultaneous pursuit of environmental quality, public health, economic prosperity and social well-being, including environmental justice and community involvement. Learn more at New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (ny.gov)