Camping, Lodging

Sweet Dreams: Explore State Parks’ Remote Islands, Cabins, Resorts and More

1 Comment

When it comes to planning a vacation or getaway, New York State Parks has overnight options for all kinds of adventures – and budgets!

While some enjoy sleeping in tents away from it all in remote, natural settings under the stars, others crave a few more amenities. Whether you prefer booking rustic cabins and bringing your RV, staying in fully equipped cottages, or resting your head at a historic inn or resort with the comforts of home, State Parks has something for everyone. 

Our Parks system includes 8,148 campsites, 967 cabins and cottages, 18 yurts, three inns, and – yes – a lighthouse. There are countless adventures for every type of stay. Get a map handy and explore highlights from some of our most interesting properties to inspire your next stay.  

La Isla Bonita  

If you have a boat or have access to renting one, answer the siren song of the water and consider the benefits of staying on one of three island parks in the Thousand Islands that are only accessible by boat. 

Canoe Point Island in the Thousand Islands region.

Who’s On Deck? 

Why worry about clearing your campsite for the tent when you can enjoy a level platform? Platform camping provides a wooden deck floor for pitching your tent on a smoother and more even surface. 

A camping deck in Lake Taghkanic State Park in Ancram, NY.

Cabins and Cottages and a Lighthouse (Oh My!)  

The perfect place for a family reunion on the Great Lakes? Check. Lakefront luxe in the Finger Lakes for a bachelorette wine-tasting weekend? Check. Thousand Islands waterfront cabin for anglers telling fish tales about the day’s catch? Check. Memories to last a lifetime? Check, check, check.   

Robert Wehle State Park’s cliffside compound, Thousand Islands region.
  • Robert Wehle State Park features a private setting that accommodates eight, and includes a compound with a main house, guest quarters, studio, and formal gardens set cliffside along the Lake Ontario shorefront.  
A cabin porch at Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park near Cooperstown, NY.
  • Fans of America’s pastime can stay at a cottage at Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park near Cooperstown and head to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, then go old school and listen to a game on the radio from the cottage’s front porch. 
Waterfront cottage porch, Sampson State Park.
Waterfront cottage interior, Sampson State Park.
  • The eastern shore of Seneca Lake is home to Sampson State Park in the Finger Lakes. The park’s waterfront cottages and campsites make an ideal setting for picturesque sunsets. You can also take advantage of the marina and boat slips to enjoy the views from the water. The park regularly draws visitors for its proximity to the region’s famous wine trails. 
Thirty-Mile Point Lighthouse available to rent at Golden Hill State Park in the Thousand Islands region.
  • Thirty-Mile Point Lighthouse at Golden Hill State Park on Lake Ontario is one of the most unique lodging options within the park system. Less than an hour from Niagara Falls, the second floor of the lighthouse has a three-bedroom suite available for rental and you don’t even have to know maritime navigation!  
Rustic cabins at Bowman Lake State Park in Oxford, NY, in State Parks’ Central region.
  • Affordably priced, the rustic cabins at Bowman Lake State Park are great for any family vacation. These cabins are the perfect in-between for campers who like both tents and cabins. Offering protection from the elements, these one-room shelters sleep four or six, but have no electricity or water. 
Two-bedroom cottage at Westcott Beach State Park.
Westcott Beach cottage interior.
Outdoor patio at Westcott Beach cottages.
  • Westcott Beach State Park near Henderson Harbor has a beautiful beach, sheltered marina and access to world class boating, fishing, and other watersports. In addition to campsites, the park has eight cottages atop a plateau with stunning water views. These deluxe two-bedrooms include a loft, living room, full kitchen, full bath, and outdoor patio for the ultimate in accommodations. 
Lakeside Cabin at Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort, NY, in our Saratoga / Capital region.
  • In the foothills of the Adirondacks, Moreau Lake State Park offers incredibly scenic lodging with water gently lapping outside the cabin door and easy access to trails. 
Cabins along the beach at Heckscher State Park on Long Island. (Photo credit: Alice Park)
  • On the Great South Bay, conveniently located to popular ocean beaches, Heckscher State Park is a Long Island favorite, featuring 15 cottages and a 69-site campground for tents, trailers, and RVs. 
Cabin life at Allegany State Park in Western New York. (Photo credit: Sabrina Kornowski)
  • At 65,000 acres, Allegany State Park is not only the largest state park in New York, but its two areas, Quaker and Red House are the most welcoming for winter sports enthusiasts. The park heats up when the temperatures drop, with cozy winter cabin and cottage rentals available for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snow shoeing. 

Yurt Going to Love These  

If round and conical are your favorite shapes, we’ve got a sweet getaway idea for you and your bunkmates. Used traditionally by nomads in Central Asia, yurts are wood lattice-framed structures with heavy duty fabric sides.  

Yurt accommodations at Four Mile Creek State Park in Youngstown, NY, in State Parks’ Niagara region.
  • You can find yurts at Four Mile Creek, Evangola, and Golden Hill State Parks in the Niagara region. State Parks’ versions have windows, a domed roof (and skylight!), wood floors, and creature comforts like cots with mattresses, a refrigerator, microwave, and air conditioning. 

Triple Threat: Camping, Swimming, and Golf 

Several popular state parks showcase three-destinations-in-one for a fun summer trifecta: a campground, swimming beach, and golf course. What’s not to love? 

Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville, NY, in our Central region. (Photo credit: Denise White)
  • Stunning Green Lakes State Park looks like it belongs in the Caribbean because of the deep color of its two glacial lakes, but it’s actually located just outside of Syracuse. With campsites, cabins, a popular beach, trails, and an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones designed golf course, the park is a Central New York favorite. And for an added bonus, the park is adjacent to the Empire State Trail. 
Beaches and more at Chenango Valley State Park in State Parks’ Central region. (Photo credit: Traci Parks)
  • The Southern Tier’s Chenango Valley State Park just north of Binghamton has more than 1,200 acres and includes a beautiful beachfront and swimming area, multi-use trails, campsites and cabins, and an 18-hole course. 
Wellesley Island State Park in the Thousand Islands. (Photo credit: Mary Forgea)
  • Wellesley Island State Park really brings it. With campsites, cabins and cottages, a sandy beach on the river, marina, boat launches, pavilions, trails, a 9-hole golf course, and the notable Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, this flagship park is the heart of the Thousand Islands.   

Inn-Credible   

Most people don’t think about formal accommodations when they hear “State Parks,” but we have some phenomenal lodging options that might surprise you. For those who appreciate the outdoors but would prefer more traditional sleeping quarters, our inns are not to be missed. Just a few examples:

The Glen Iris Resort in Letchworth State Park in the Finger Lakes region.
  • The Glen Iris Inn has the front seat to a beautiful view in the northeast: the Middle Falls along the Genesee River gorge at Letchworth State Park. Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, this park southwest of Rochester sparks awe, from the inn’s bird’s eye view in a hot air balloon to white water rafting along the river below.
The Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa in Saratoga Spa State Park.
  • In Saratoga Springs, the town is bustling during summer’s track season, and the National Historic Landmark Saratoga Spa State Park wows visitors, welcoming them along its iconic Avenue of the Pines to the elegant Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa, nestled among the trails and natural springs. Saratoga Spa State Park offers a choice of two golf courses and pampering in the resort’s spa. Museums, a theater, two pool complexes, and a renowned performing arts center round out the on-site attractions at the park.
Bear Mountain Inn in Bear Mountain State Park in the Taconic region.
  • And sure it’s cool that people rough it and spend time completing the Appalachian Trail, but with the historic Bear Mountain Inn just about an hour north of New York City, you can stay at the namesake park, hike the original start of the famous AT, and then have a spa treatment and brunch.

Get Your Group On  

Group Camps, often ranging in accommodations for between 20-100 people, can be a great alternative for your family reunion or larger group outing.  

  • At Stony Brook State Park, the campsite can hold 60 people and is located in a remote area so that your group is secluded from other campers, adding to the group camping experience. Grills, picnic tables, fire rings, and facilities are available with showers nearby.   

Now that you a have a better sense of your options, we invite you to discover these overnight stays – and many more – among the wonders of nature, including scenic trails, crystal clear waters, and sandy beaches. Luckily, finding the perfect location for your next getaway has never been easier.  

Whether you plan months ahead or are the more spontaneous traveler, you can book a stay at a New York state park from up to 3 p.m. on the day of arrival* to 9 months in advance by calling toll-free 1-800-456-CAMP or visiting http://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com. [Same-day reservations will be allowed until 3pm on day of arrival; this applies to campsites only. Cabins, cottages, and yurts can be reserved as late as 1-day prior to arrival.]   

Insider Tips?

Review the Camping Guide: Our NY State Parks Camping Guide is available online. Scroll down on each digital panel to get more information on options.

Check our Inventory: For prospective campers who find themselves without plans for an upcoming few days, check out the Camping This Weekend tab on our site to see what’s available throughout the Parks system. The listings are updated the Wednesday before each weekend.  

Earn Points: Be sure to sign up for the New York State Parks Loyalty/Rewards Program. Earn ten points for every dollar you spend on overnight accommodations at New York State Parks Campgrounds. Start earning points on new reservations as soon as you are enrolled. Stay more, get more!  

-Written by Wendy Gibson, Public Affairs Bureau

Park Personnel, Park Volunteers

Park Police Spring into Action for 2023

Leave a comment

For the first time in four years, New York State’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s Park Police have a new graduating class.

That’s right, a group of 32 recruits answered the call, made it through a trying six-month training term, and are now ready to patrol our parks. While we still have a long way to go to get our Park Police numbers in a healthier place, this influx of personnel is a great start to filling depleted ranks, primarily on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley.

Four 17th Academy recruits were honored at the recent Saratoga Spa State Park Hall of Springs graduation ceremony:

  • Erik Torkildsen – Firearms Proficiency
  • James Hopkins – Physical Fitness
  • Matthew Olsen – Academic Achievement
  • Robert Costanzo – Leadership

For the family and friends gathered on that May 3 morning, the highlight was the recruit recap video that showed the rigors of just what the new officers had to go through. There were written tests, physical fitness activities, pursuit driving drills, snowmobile safety and water rescue lessons, the mental challenges of returning to their barracks to find their living space (purposely) in shambles, plus being tased and pepper sprayed. Some video onlookers laughed, some gasped, some pointed wide-eyed. Most of the new officers didn’t react – they had lived it and earned their badges.

The new class was also offered wisdom and well wishes from leadership at State Parks and Park Police:

“The call to service comes at all hours of the day,” Commissioner Erik Kulleseid reminded them.

“Always make your bed,” suggested Colonel Michael Daddona, Assistant Director of Law Enforcement, referencing making a practice of the first accomplishment of their day, every day.

“Protect precious and beautiful places in New York State,” urged Lieutenant Zachary Voegler, head of the Park Police Academy.

2023’s NY State Park Police graduating officers prior to their May 3 ceremony.

After graduation, PBANYS President and University Police Lieutenants Director James McCarthy underscored the immense benefits of building the Park Police force. “We welcome the addition of these specialized officers who have made a commitment to keeping their neighbors and communities safe,” he said. “At a time when law enforcement agencies face tremendous challenges in recruiting and retaining the best and brightest, the residents of New York state are extremely fortunate that these 32 individuals answered the call to serve and protect.”

Our Park Police graduation, however, was just one of two major events recently hosted at Saratoga Spa State Park. The other event unfolded a few days earlier when Park Police staged an emergency exercise on how to respond to a disaster during a concert at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, commonly known as SPAC, a venue within the park.

SPAC, which will host many Live Nation concerts and events this year, was the setting for a simulated mass casualty training exercise. After being in the planning stages for months, the emergency drill gathered about 300 volunteers on that Sunday morning to participate, including a few of the Park Police recruits to watch and learn from their experienced mentors and future colleagues.

The scenario – a pickup truck crashing into a line of concertgoers waiting to get into a hypothetical Dave Matthews Band show, plus a rogue gun shot – was designed to be both chaotic and realistic. Roughly 20 agencies came together to create a coordinated emergency response, ensuring that injured people were tended to properly, bystanders and staff got out safely, and the message for the public was disseminated clearly and effectively.

Learn more about NY State Park Police’s simulated mass casualty training exercise at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on April 30, 2023.

“[This exercise] gives us a very good opportunity to test our communications capabilities inside the facility with county and local law enforcement and the state agencies that are responding,” said Park Police Colonel Daddona.

Sirens blared around SPAC, officers taped areas off, and volunteers posing as victims were treated at the scene.

Word travels fast through social media these days, and you can likely imagine how the old game of “telephone” could distort a message at a large venue during an emergency situation. Smartphones often intensify that chatter. Questions began to surface: Where did the car come from? Who was driving? Was this deliberate or coordinated? Did the driver have a medical condition? Who shot the gun? Was it even a gunshot? All concerns that Park Police have trained hard to address.

With thousands of attendees still outside of SPAC, and many already inside the venue, Park Police were tasked with assessing the situation and ensuring the safety of everyone on site. It took a coordinated effort, many prior tabletop simulations, and even a closed-circuit social media signal to get the response right.

“We’re doing this to make sure we are as safe as we can be for the patrons of the park and for concertgoers,” said NY State Park Police Sergeant Jeffrey Santor that day as he led the exercise.

With 32 new officers and a renewed sense of teamwork, Park Police are certainly ready for the State Parks’ busy season.

-Written by John Craig, Public Affairs Bureau

Family Fun, Fun & Games, Hiking

Flocking Together for Black Birders Week

Leave a comment

Black Birders Week 2023 kicks off at the end of May, and in collaboration with the organization Black AF In STEM, State Parks’ environmental educators from New York City invite you to join in celebrating and uplifting Black birders. From budding novices to seasoned experts, all birders, including those who aspire to learn more about birding generally, are welcome.

What is Black Birders Week?

On May 25, 2020, Christian Cooper – a Black man – was riding his bike through Central Park when he encountered a white woman with her dog in the Ramble and politely asked her to put her dog on a leash. As an avid birder, Mr. Cooper knew that the period between March 1 and July 31 is the main breeding period for ground nesting birds, and the Ramble is a prime nesting area. In response to Mr. Cooper’s request, the woman called 911 and asserted that an African American man was threatening her and her dog.

Video courtesy of NOVA PBS Official‘s YouTube channel.

When the recorded cell phone video of Christian Cooper’s encounter went viral, it made national news and demonstrated the unique challenges Black people may face when engaging in outdoor activities. The incident, and others like it, led to the creation of “Black Birders Week” by Black AF In STEM, fortifying efforts to highlight Black nature enthusiasts and increase the visibility of Black people in environmental issues.

“Black Birders Week has made me even more aware of the dangers Black people face when we spend time in outdoor spaces, but it also helped me discover a vast community of Black birders and nature lovers around the country,” said Roslyn Rivas, Public Programs Manager at NYC Audubon and a guest facilitator for New York State Parks.

How and when can you participate?

From May 28, 2023 to June 3, 2023, NY State Parks is hosting a week-long series of events at two state parks named after historically prominent Black women who lived in New York City: Marsha P. Johnson State Park and Shirley Chisholm State Park.

All programs are free and materials are provided, including binoculars and bird guides. At each event, participants may enter a raffle to win special prizes including binoculars, plush Audubon birds, or a New York State Park Empire Pass!

“I never imagined there would be so many of us, and I have absolutely loved getting to make so many connections and new friends in this network,” said Rivas. “Black Birders Week is a time when we can come together and enjoy being outdoors without fear, especially when access to green space has been purposely limited for Black people throughout history.”

If you are interested in attending any of the eight Black Birders Week events in the NYC region, an overview of each event (and links to register) are below. We hope to see you there!

Beginner Birding with NYC Audubon

Shirley Chisholm State Park– Pennsylvania Side
Sunday, May 28, 2023
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
All ages– 1.5-3 mile hike on gravel trails with gradual incline
Binoculars provided
Registration is required

Join Roslyn Rivas from NYC Audubon and discover the incredible birds of Shirley Chisholm State Park. Whether you’re an expert birder or just curious about our feathered friends there is always something fun to discover on the trails. All attendees can enter to win a pair of Binoculars or NYS Empire Pass.

Beginner Birding

Marsha P Johnson State Park
Sunday, May 28, 2023
5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
All ages
Binoculars provided
Registration is required

If you are interested in learning about birds, but don’t know where to start, join us for a walk to learn the basics of bird identification. Birders of every level and every age are welcome. At the end of the program, we will be raffling off a new pair of binoculars to get a beginner birder started!

Sunset Birding with NYC Audubon

Shirley Chisholm State Park– Fountain side 
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Ages 8 years and older 
2-3 miles on gravel trails with gradual incline
Binoculars provided
Registration is required

Sunsets are beautiful, but they are also a great time to go birding as many birds are active at dawn and dusk! Join NYC Audubon’s Roslyn Rivas and discover the joys of urban birding as the sun sets over Manhattan. All attendees can enter to win a pair of Binoculars or NYS Empire Pass.

Puppets at the Park House: Karen Cardinal’s New Neighbors

Marsha P. Johnson State Park
Thursday, June 1, 2023
3 PM, 4 PM, and 5 PM
All ages
Registration is encouraged

Diversity is important, even in nature! Puppets at the Park House presents an original show in honor of Black Birders Week: “Karen Cardinal’s New Neighbors!” When some migratory birds settle into Karen Cardinal’s neighborhood, she learns that our differences are what make us special and that there is space for birds of all colors and sizes.

Ruby’s Birds: Story Time and Craft Workshop

Marsha P. Johnson
Friday, June 2, 2023
3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
All ages
Materials provided
Registration is encouraged

Read a story about a young girl named Ruby and the birds she finds in New York City! Then make a bird decal that helps prevent window strikes, a pinecone bird feeder to support migratory birds, or both!

Birds and Brews: Sunset Birding and a Tour of Brooklyn Brewery

Marsha P. Johnson State Park
Friday, June 2, 2023
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Ages 18 and older
Binoculars provided
Registration is required

Come to our sunset birding with our special guest facilitator, Roslyn Rivas from NYC Audubon. Spot songbirds as the sun sets behind the Manhattan skyline. After the program you can choose to attend a free tour of the nearby Brooklyn Brewery offered specifically for participants and receive a drink voucher for a beer, wine, or soda. Learn about the connections between birds and beer, while making new connections with other birders. Birders of all experience levels are welcome!  

New York City Raptors: Live Bird Demonstration

Shirley Chisholm State Park – Pennsylvania side at Hendrix Creek Patio
Date and time to be announced
1 PM to 2 PM
All ages
Registration is encouraged

Ever wanted to meet some of New York’s fiercest predators? Join Wildlife Rehabilitator Bobby Horvath and get up-close and personal with his wildlife ambassadors and learn about these incredible feathered friends– including hawks, owls, and falcons– at Hendrix Creek Patio.

New York City Raptors: Live Bird Demonstration

Marsha P. Johnson State Park
Saturday, June 3, 2023
1 PM to 2 PM
All ages
Registration is encouraged

Volunteers for Wildlife will give us an up-close introduction to their wildlife ambassadors, including owls and kestrels! Meet some feathered friends while we discuss the many different species of birds of prey native to New York and all of their interesting adaptations!

– Written by Jenna Marie Otero, Environmental Education Assistant in the New York City Regional Office


Family Fun, Historic Sites, history, Park History, Park Personnel

En Garde! Schuyler Mansion Fencing Event Celebrates 18th Century Barrier-Breaking Celebrities

Leave a comment

The history of European swordsmanship is often presumed to be the story of white, cisgender men. But people of all genders and races have played leading roles in this story.

On April 23rd, 2023, Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site partnered with the Musicians of Ma’alwyck (including Ann-Marie Barker Schwartz , Norman Thibodeau, and André Laurent O’Neil), actor Devin Funnye, and historical fencer Reily Mumpton, to present The Match!, a celebration of the stories of two 18th century individuals who exemplify these contributions: Chevalier de Saint-Georges and Chevalière d’Éon.

Learn more about The Match event from Schuyler Mansion staff and the actors who played Saint-Georges and d’Éon.

Saint-Georges and d’Éon were both considered celebrities in late-18th century London, and were part of the entourage of the Prince of Wales (through which they made the acquaintance of Schuyler Mansion’s very own Angelica Schuyler Church, of Hamilton fame!). On April 9, 1787, when the Prince of Wales hosted a fencing tournament at his personal residence, contemporary accounts hailed the match between Saint-Georges and d’Éon as the capstone of the event.

In addition to being immensely respected fencers, Saint-Georges was a celebrated musician and composer, while d’Éon had a thrilling past as a soldier and spy in secret service to King Louis XV of France. If this were not enough to capture the interest of their contemporaries and modern audiences alike, neither figure fit neatly into societal assumptions about the identities of aristocratic 18th century courtiers and fencers: Chevalière d’Éon was a trans-woman, while Chevalier de Saint-Georges was a biracial Afro-Caribbean man.

Left: Portrait of Angelica Schuyler Church. She and her two sisters were depicted in the musical Hamilton. Right: Flier for The Match at Schuyler Mansion in Albany, NY.

Possibly born intersex, d’Éon had been assigned male at birth and raised as a son of the French nobility. Her espionage career eventually led to exile, forcing d’Éon to protect herself by threatening to publish incriminating documents about the king of France. In 1777, at the age of forty-nine, d’Éon agreed to return to France and turn over the documents on several conditions: that she be legally recognized as a woman, be given a full feminine wardrobe suitable to her status, and be allowed to wear her military honors earned while presenting as a man. Desperate to avoid scandal, the king agreed. From that point forward, d’Éon was able to live publicly as a woman.

Saint-Georges, on the other hand, was born not into nobility, but into slavery on the plantations of Guadeloupe. His life story is featured in Searchlight Pictures film, CHEVALIER, which hit theaters on April 21, 2023. The son of a white French planter and an enslaved African mother, he was sent to France at the age of seven, where he was legally free. There he studied many topics, including music and fencing. The specter of racism still followed him, however, as the Code Noir (“Black Code”) limited his freedoms. He likewise faced personal prejudices from fellow fencers and musicians. He did not back down to his detractors, however, besting many of them with sword or violin, and eventually secured the patronage of Queen Marie Antoinette herself. He later became an important voice in the French abolition movement, and an officer in the French revolutionary forces.

Saint-Georges and d’Éon are stirring examples of Black and LGBTQ+ excellence in a history from which such voices are often sidelined by traditional narratives. Both openly celebrated who they were, excelling in every area of their lives, even when met with social opposition. They are important reminders that people from these groups have always been part of our shared stories, and that the contributions of marginalized individuals and groups today are part of a living tradition with very deep roots.

236 years later after they crossed swords before the Prince of Wales, visitors of all ages and backgrounds gathered to hear performances of some of Saint-Georges’ compositions by the Musicians of Ma’alwyck (as well as music by contemporaries who drew inspiration from the Afro-Caribbean virtuoso), and to witness an exciting live recreation of Saint-Georges’ and d’Éon’s 1787 fencing match! We are honored to have been able to help share their stories, and look forward to continuing to amplify the many, many voices that make up our whole history.

– Written by Ian Mumpton, Historic Site Assistant at OPRHP Schuyler Mansion

Event photographs courtesy of Madeleine Goodman, Excelsior Service Fellow at OPRHP

Family Fun, Park Volunteers, Stewardship

Join Us For ‘I Love My Park’ Day! 

Leave a comment

Did you visit a New York State park or historic site last year? Maybe you plan to this year?  

For nearly a century, New Yorkers and visitors around the world have enjoyed the great outdoors at New York State parks and historic sites. For everything these properties have given to us, we now invite you to give back and help ensure that future generations have the same access. 

Register to volunteer at www.ptny.org/ilovemypark

On Saturday, May 6, 2023, join us in celebrating the 12th annual ‘I Love My Park’ Day — an event in partnership with Parks & Trails New York; the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; and the Department of Environmental Conservation. This is the largest statewide volunteer event to enhance parks, historic sites, and public lands across the State, and registration is now open. 

“Our volunteers are crucial in making our state park system the very best in the nation and we look forward to welcoming thousands of volunteers for I Love My Park Day again this year,” said Erik Kulleseid, Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. 

Last year, more than 5,000 volunteers gave back to our parks and public lands, planting more than 250 trees, creating and updating more than 1,000 gardens, and filling nearly 600 bags of garbage. 

Volunteers from 2022 and 2021 making repairs, spreading mulch, planting flowers and painting restrooms.

You and your family and friends will have the opportunity to participate in rewarding cleanup events at over 120 state parks, historic sites, and public lands all across the state. Here’s a quick look at only some of the properties where you can volunteer across the regions: 

  • Participate in various gardening projects at the public gardens in Bear Mountain State Park in the Taconic Region. 
  • Mulch trails, help remove litter, and participate in general park cleanup at Bethpage State Park in the Long Island region. 
  • Assemble Adirondack chairs, spread gravel, spread mulch, and help with tree maintenance at FDR Four Freedoms State Park in the New York City region. 
  • Replant flower beds and planters and weed out gardens around the Culture Center at Ganondagan State Historic Site in the Finger Lakes region. 
  • Participate in trimming and cleanup work on the disc golf course at Joseph Davis State Park in the Niagara Region. 
  • Clean up the beach, camping sites, and horseshoe pits at Hamlin Beach State Park in the Genesee Region. 
  • Help spruce up the land by planting trees and wildflowers, improve trails, and rake leaves at Max V. Shaul State Park in the Saratoga/Capital District region. 
  • Take part in spring garden preparation, as well as weeding and trimming bushes at Robert Moses State Park in the Thousands Islands Region. 
‘I Love My Park’ Day participants wearing t-shirts given out at previous events.

Registration is now open for sites across the State. But don’t wait! Volunteer spots will fill up quickly. We thank you for being responsible stewards so future generations can enjoy these special natural resources for centuries to come.

“I Love My Park Day is a great opportunity for New Yorkers to give back to our incredible parks and public lands,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “I encourage New Yorkers to sign up and volunteer at a participating park, historic site or trail in their area to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy these amazing natural resources.” 

The official blog for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

%d bloggers like this: