With nearly 450 miles of blazed trails crisscrossing almost 130,000 acres of publicly accessible open space, the Palisades region’s hiking system is among the most expansive in New York State. The region hosts the oldest section of the Appalachian Trail running through Bear Mountain State Park and Trailside Museums and Zoo, an extensive section of the Long Path, approximately 50 miles of carriage roads in Minnewaska, and dozens of other well-loved trails that bring the region’s 7 million annual visitors to waterfalls, wetlands, streams, lakes and forests.
The original parkfluencer? William T. Howell was an avid hiker and photojournalist whose images were crucial in persuading the public to conserve the lands that are today known as Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks. And he did it all while wearing a suit and tie. From the collections of the Palisades Interstate Parks Commission.
All of these trails require ongoing maintenance and protection, and we take pride in keeping them safe and traversable for all visitors.
On Saturday, May 3, there was a warmth in New York that no rains could dampen.
I Love My Park Day volunteers brave the rains at Allegany State Park, Clark Reservation, and Wellesley Island on Saturday, May 3.
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.
The Force was with our intrepid volunteers and friends on Saturday, May 4, 2024, as the 13th I Love My Park Day took place across New York. More than 150 state parks, historic sites, and public lands welcomed thousands of volunteers to help rake and plant flower beds, clear trails, paint benches, build birdhouses, clean up beaches and public spaces, clear away invasive species, and get the parks looking fantastic for the busy season ahead.
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.
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 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.”
New York State Parks and Historic Sites Blog 