In a partnership with Parks & Trails, New York State announces that registration is open for the tenth annual “I Love My Park Day.” The event will be held on May 1st and 2nd at more than 120 state parks and other historical landmarks around New York.
“More people than ever before are enjoying the beautiful and natural treasures New York State has to offer,” Governor Cuomo said in a press release earlier this week. “I Love My Park Day is a great opportunity to give back to our incredible park system, and I encourage New Yorkers to sign up and volunteer at a participating park or historic site in their area to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy these amazing resources.”
There are several things you can do on Long Island for “I Love My Park Day.” The first of which is at Bethpage State Park. Between 10 AM and 12 PM on May 1st and 2nd, volunteers will pick up litter and garbage and rake leaves and debris. Another Long Island volunteer event is takes place in Wantagh at the Upper Twin Pond. There volunteers will be picking up litter around one of the more popular freshwater fishing spots in Nassau.
Of course, there are other events around New York State too. The Boilermaker Empire State Trail Challenge is a four-month-long race that lasts through July 31st. Participants can log their miles walking, running, or cycling around the Empire State Trail that runs from Manhattan to the Canadian border. Another event is the Autism Nature Trail at Letchworth State Park. This event will open later in the summer. The mile-long Autism Nature Trail features eight sensory stations offering a range of experiences from quiet engagement to active exploration and adventure.
To register for any of these events, CLICK HERE. Registration can be done online.
The best way to get the whole New York State nature experience is by checking out the 2021 New York State Camping guide. If you CLICK HERE, you’ll get a digitized look into 120 campgrounds operated by New York State Parks and the Department of Environmental Conservation. You’ll find that there are more than 15,000 campsites for tents and RVs. You’ll also find more than 800 cabins, cottages, yurts, and lighthouses open to the public.
If you plan to check out the many great state parks in New York, don’t forget to come down to the Hauppauge Public Library and pick up an Empire Pass. The Pass gives users day-use vehicle entry to most facilities in New York. CLICK HERE to reserve your Pass today. For more info on the Pass, you may CLICK HERE as well.