Governor Cuomo Announces Third Annual I Love My Park Day

LongIsland.com

May 3, 2014 Volunteer Day a Great Opportunity to Help New York State Parks and Historic Sites.

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Albany, NY - March 20, 2014 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that online registration is now available for the second annual “I Love My Park Day” to be held on May 3, 2014 at state parks and historic sites across the state as part of the governor’s sustained commitment to stewardship of our magnificent state lands and parks and to increase recreational and tourism opportunities throughout New York. Last year over 4,000 volunteers from across the state participated in the successful “I Love My Park Day” event. Event details and online registration for this year’s event can be found at www.nysparks.com.

“If you spend time enjoying New York’s beautiful state parks and historic sites throughout the year, I hope you’ll take time on May 3 to give back,” said Governor Cuomo. “Our state parks are some of our most treasured resources, and it is our responsibility as citizens to preserve and care for them so they can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

Sponsored jointly by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Parks & Trails New York, “I Love My Park Day" is a statewide event to improve and enhance New York’s parks and historic sites and bring visibility to the entire park system and its needs. Nearly 80 parks and historic sites will participate. Volunteers will celebrate New York’s park system by cleaning up storm damage and other debris on park lands and beaches, planting trees and gardens, restoring trails and wildlife habitat, removing invasive species, and working on various site improvement projects. The New York State Commission on Volunteer and Community Service is joining the effort again this year to help recruit volunteers, promote the initiative and provide support to projects across the state.

“Governor Cuomo continues to demonstrate his commitment to the infrastructure of parks and sites throughout the state, allowing us to make significant capital improvements to enhance the experience for all of our visitors. This year, with another $90 million commitment of New York Works funds, we look forward to continuing to transform and revitalize our park system for the 21st century,” State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. “I’d like to thank Parks & Trails New York for organizing I Love My Park Day, and invite volunteers of all ages to join us again on I Love My Park Day for this special opportunity for a strong show of support for New York’s wonderful park system. The support of the public and dedicated partners will make our parks and sites the very best they can be.”

“Governor Cuomo’s historic investment in state parks has helped New York’s state parks and historic sites make significant improvements, but to help them sparkle like the gems they are, we’re enlisting the support of friends, volunteers and partners,” said Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Robin Dropkin. “We hope New Yorkers who use and love their parks will take advantage of this opportunity to do their part by pitching in at this year’s ‘I Love My Park Day.’

Registration for I Love My Park Day can be completed here.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 179 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by more than 60 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.