On Saturday, May 3, there was a warmth in New York that no rains could dampen.

I Love My Park Day returned for its fourteenth year. Across hundreds of historic sites, state parks, rail trails and public lands, thousands of volunteers turned out to help us prepare for the summer. They came as families, they came in groups small and large, they came alone, but they left as a part of a bigger whole, coming together for their communities.

For wellness-conscious, park-loving New Yorkers, I Love My Park Day was the perfect event. Volunteers spent time in nature and away from screens, moving their bodies, using their skills and learning new ones, meeting new people, and making a tangible difference in their communities. They cleaned up litter, cleared trails, planted flowers and trees, and repaired and painted flower boxes, planters, picnic tables and more. They checked off at least one Wellness Challenge mission. Thanks to our volunteers, we’re looking great for the busy summer season!

Check out our full gallery of the day, including the Department of Environmental Conservation sites and local parks that got in on the act! Here’s a sample of the action at New York’s largest single-day volunteer event.

Making History Shine

Our historic sites got in on the fun in 2025, with strong volunteer showings at Herkimer Home State Historic Site, Jay Heritage Center, John Brown Farm State Historic Site, Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Site, Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site, and Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site.

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Keeping Waterways Clean

Clean waterways start on the shores. By picking up trash from the beaches, our volunteers and staff directly prevented pollution in the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes! Shown here are beach and waterfront cleanups at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, Heckscher State Park, Hempstead Lake State Park, Hither Hills State Park, Shirley Chisholm State Park, and Woodlawn Beach State Park.

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Come Together Now

Ask anyone who’s volunteered at I Love My Park Day, and they’ll tell you an instant community forms among those who show up to work. But every year, community groups and businesses attend together!

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A Family Affair

I Love My Park Day is meant for all ages. Kids came along with parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to help get our parks looking great, including these at Gantry Plaza State Park, Captree State Park, Bear Mountain Trailside Museum and Zoo, and Max V. Shaul State Park. Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons also brought his family to plant trees at Saratoga Spa State Park!

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There are always opportunities to help out at our parks. Join a Friends group, or contact a state park or historic site near you to volunteer on your own. And save the first Saturday in May for us every year! We’ll see you out there!

— Written by Kate Jenkins, Digital Content Specialist