Parks & Trails New York to celebrate NYS Parks Centennial with 13th annual I Love My Park Day

146 volunteerism events scheduled at parks, historic sites & other public lands across NYS for centennial celebration

Submitted by Parks & Trails New York

In 2024, the New York State Parks System celebrates its centennial year. With the vast growth in visitorship experienced since the pandemic – 84 million-plus in 2023 alone – service to our public lands is more important than ever.

Volunteer organizations and site managers are making final preparations for the 13th annual I Love My Park Day to be held May 4. I Love My Park Day – organized by Parks & Trails New York and in partnership with the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation – is an annual event celebrating and enhancing New York’s parks, historic sites, greenway trails and other public lands. More than 150 events will take place Saturday, providing opportunities for thousands of New Yorkers to clean up their favorite parks and shorelines, plant trees and gardens, restore trails and wildlife habitat, remove invasive species, and work on various site improvement projects – all to prepare our iconic state park system and public lands for the start of the busy spring season.

A forthcoming report commissioned by Parks & Trails New York found New York’s state park system continues to be a major anchor for the New York state economy. In terms of GDP, labor income, and overall economic importance, the NYS park system has a comparable impact to the NYS agricultural sector: a $3.5 billion contribution annually.

As visitation to our public lands continues to increase, supporting initiatives to steward these cherished spaces becomes increasingly urgent. By prioritizing conservation efforts, stewarding our multicultural heritage, maintaining recreational opportunities, and recognizing the economic benefits of healthy public lands, we can ensure that these invaluable resources remain vibrant, accessible, and welcoming to all New Yorkers … for generations to come.

To learn more about I Love My Park Day, and to view a map of scheduled events, visit https://www.ptnyfriends.org/i-love-my-park-day.

“As we celebrate the centennial of New York’s world-class state parks system, we can’t help but marvel at how far we’ve come!” said Paul Steely White, executive director of Parks & Trails New York. “Since acquisition of the nation’s first state historic site – Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh – our state parks system has consistently provided economic and wellbeing benefits, not to mention joy and awe, for New Yorkers. With over 200 state parks and historic sites, NYS has been leading by example in our commitment to environmental stewardship, conservation and preservation by investing in the natural treasures that enrich our lives. We are so grateful to have an outpouring of support this year from the already 3,500-plus volunteers who’ve registered to roll up their sleeves and help make I Love My Park Day 2024 a huge success, and ensure our public lands are flourishing for generations to come.”

Parks & Trails New York is New York’s leading statewide advocate for parks and trails. Since its founding in 1985, PTNY has been fighting to improve our health, economy, and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of green space. With assistance from members, supporters and partners from across the state, PTNY is a prominent voice for the protection and expansion of New York’s magnificent state park system and multiuse trail network, including more than 1,500 miles of greenways, bike paths and river walks. Learn more at www.ptny.org.