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. 

On Saturday, May 6, 2023, join us in celebrating the 12^th 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. 

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. 

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.”