Albany, NY - April 30, 2014 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today reminded New Yorkers to volunteer at their favorite state park or historic site during the third annual “I Love My Park Day,” taking place this Saturday, May 3, 2014. A record number of volunteers—nearly 3,000—have already registered and the state is expecting almost 6,000 participants. Those who would like to support clean-up and renovation efforts at sites across the state can register at ptny.org/ilovemypark.

"I encourage all New Yorkers to take some time to give back and join the thousands of volunteers that have already signed up to participate in ‘I Love My Parks Day’ this Saturday” said Governor Cuomo. “New York's park system is one of our state’s most valued assets, and by helping improve these sites, we can all play a part in preserving them for generations to come.”

 

This year volunteers of all ages will help improve parks and historic sites through hundreds of projects ranging from general park clean-up such as debris and trash pick-up, and invasive plant and species removal to beautification efforts such as planting flowers and trees, weed removal, reseeding, painting, assembly and installation of benches and picnic tables, trail maintenance and much more.

 

“What better way to enjoy the outdoors this Saturday than spending a day with your family, friends and neighbors and helping to clean-up your favorite park or historic site,” said State Park Commissioner Rose Harvey. “Each year it is inspiring to see the dedication from so many of our visitors as they participate in I Love My Park Day and work together on behalf of their state parks and historic sites.”

 

“The creation of New York’s remarkable park system was the work of friends, supporters, and many ordinary citizens who believed in the importance of parks. Their efforts have brought the joys of the outdoors to hundreds of millions of New Yorkers. This park legacy is a responsibility handed down from one generation to the next. Through I Love My Park Day, New Yorkers are able to step up and do their part for their parks. Parks help us all stay healthy and active, and by working together we can make them even better.” said Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York.

 

"I Love My Park Day" By the Numbers:

 

In 2013:

· 78 participating parks and historic sites

• 4,000 volunteers
• 10,000 volunteer hours contributed

Growing in Year Three: 2014

· 83 participating parks and historic sites

• Upwards of 6,000 volunteers expected as nearly 3,000 have already pre-registered
• Estimated 15,000 volunteer hours contributed
• Continued partnership with NYS Commission on National & Community Service
• Major new media and corporate sponsors through Parks & Trails, New York including AT&T; L.L. Bean; GE; America’s Best Value Inn; the Business Council of NYS; and LongIsland.com

2014 Participating Parks and Historic Sites

Capital District / Saratoga 
Regional sponsorship provided by New York Flower Power.
Crown Point State Historic Site
Grafton Lakes State Park
Grant Cottage State Historic Site
John Boyd Thacher State Park
John Brown Farm State Historic Site
Johnson Hall State Historic Site
Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul State Parks
Moreau Lake State Park
Peebles Island State Park (REGISTRATION FULL) 
Saratoga Spa State Park
Schodack Island State Park (REGISTRATION FULL)
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site

 

Central Region
Bowman Lake State Park 
Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum
Clark Reservation State Park 
Clark Reservation State Park - BioBlitz
Fort Ontario State Historic Site
Glimmerglass State Park
Green Lakes State Park
Herkimer Home State Historic Site
Lorenzo State Historic Site
Old Erie Canal State Park, Madison County Corridor (Oneida)

 

Finger Lakes 
Catharine Valley Trail 
Fair Haven Beach State Park
Ganondagan State Historic Site (REGISTRATION FULL)
Genesee Valley Greenway - Chili
Genesee Valley Greenway - Cuba
Genesee Valley Greenway - Leicester/Mt.Morris
Hamlin Beach State Park
Ithaca Dog Park at the Allan H. Treman Marine State Park
Letchworth State Park
Robert H. Treman State Park (REGISTRATION FULL)
Sampson State Park 
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
Stony Brook State Park (REGISTRATION FULL)

 

Hudson Valley
Bannerman Island (REGISTRATION FULL)
Clermont State Historic Site
Dennings Point - Hudson Highlands State Park
Fahnestock State Park (Clarence Fahnestock)
Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park 
Franny Reese State Park
Harlem Valley Rail Trail (at Taconic State Park) 
Harriman State Park - (Anthony Wayne Recreation Area)
Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve 
Jay Heritage Center
Minnewaska State Park Preserve 
Minnewaska State Park Preserve - BioBlitz 
Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park - Croton-on-Hudson
Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park - Hastings-on-Hudson 
Rockefeller State Park Preserve
Rockland Lake State Park (including Hook Mountain and Nyack Beach) 
Staatsburgh State Historic Site
Taconic State Park 
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

 

Long Island 
Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park 
Belmont Lake State Park
Bethpage State Park 
Caleb Smith State Park Preserve
Captree State Park (REGISTRATION FULL)
Connetquot River State Park Preserve
Heckscher State Park
Hempstead Lake State Park 
Jones Beach State Park 
Montauk Point State Park
Nissequogue River State Park 
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park 
Robert Moses State Park (REGISTRATION FULL)
Sunken Meadow State Park (Alfred E. Smith)
Valley Stream State Park
Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site

 

New York City 
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve
East River State Park
FDR Four Freedoms Park (REGISTRATION FULL)
Gantry Plaza State Park
Riverbank State Park
Roberto Clemente State Park

 

Thousand Islands Region
Cedar Point State Park (REGISTRATION FULL)
Higley Flow State Park
Point au Roche State Park 
Wellesley Island State Park

 

Western NY 
Allegany State Park 
Artpark State Park (Earl W. Brydges) (REGISTRATION FULL)
Evangola State Park
Golden Hill State Park 
Knox Farm State Park
Midway State Park
Niagara Falls State Park
Wilson-Tuscarora State Park
Whirlpool State Park

 

Local Parks
In addition to the events at state parks listed above, local parks get in the spirit too! I Love My Park Day events are being held at these locally owned parks and historic sites. To learn more about these, visit the links below:

• Angelo Canna Town Park, Cairo, NY – 11:30am to 3pm. For more information, call the Town Supervisor’s Office at 518-622-2060 or email supervisorclerk@twonofcairo.com.
• Center Park Spring Clean Up Day, Perinton, NY – 10-11:30am. Grades 6– 12. Please email Julie Eble at lionsdentc@gmail.comwith questions or visit Perinton's website for more details and to register.
• Kingston Parks, Kingston, NY – various City of Kingston Parks will host clean up events. More details at www.kingston-ny.gov. To participate, email Steve Noble at snoble@kingston-ny.gov or call 845-481-7336.
• Laurelton Playground, New York, NY – for more information, please email Agreenerlaurelton@gmail.com
• F.T. Proctor Park, Utica NY – organized by the Central New York Conservancy. Please check the Conservancy’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter for additional details. To register, please contact Peter Falzarine at pfalzarine@roadrunner.com or Susan Smith at centralnyconservancy@gmail.com.
• Moh-He-Con-Nuck Nature Preserve, Bethlehem, NY – organized by Friends of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation. To register, please contact friendsofparks@townofbethlehem.org
• William E. Merrill Town Park, Parish, NY