All are welcome to participate in the 12th annual I Love My Park Day event on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), in partnership with the NYS DEC and State Parks, hosts the annual event and invites volunteers from across the state in cleanup, improvement, and beautification events at New York State parks, historic sites, and public lands.

To encourage year-round stewardship, PTNY, State Parks, and DEC will launch additional volunteer opportunities throughout the summer and fall as part of the Love Our NY Lands campaign. The campaign goal is to help protect our natural resources by providing visitors with the knowledge necessary to reduce their impact, engage users to practice sustainable and safe recreation, and help all visitors feel welcome while visiting state lands.

Adirondack-area I Love My Park Day events listed as follows:

Region 5 – Adirondacks

Ralph Road State Forest at 9 AM

Town of Lake Luzerne, Warren County

Volunteers will meet at Ralph Road State Forest for trash pickup located off trails throughout the forest. Please come prepared with work gloves.

Note: This event is open to volunteers 8+.

Register on Parks & Trails website.

Region 6 – Western Adirondacks/Upper Mohawk Valley

Black River Wild Forest, Ledge Mountain Trail at 10 a.m.

Cold Brook, NY

Volunteers should meet at the informal parking area on the North side of State Route 8, 2.25 miles east of the intersection of State Routes 8 and 365. Parking is limited, so please carpool.

Volunteers will be trimming branches from the trail, picking up blowdown sticks from the trail, and assisting with trail marking. Trail is approximately 1 mile in length.
Volunteers should wear appropriate footwear (hiking boots) and wear work gloves. The trail traverses uneven ground and some wet areas. Volunteers should bring hand loppers or a small bow saw. Volunteers should bring their own lunch, if desired.

Note: This event is open for those 18+ only.

Register on Parks & Trails website.

Learn more and sign up to volunteer by visiting DEC’s website.

Photo at top: A previous I Love My Park Day event. NYS DEC photo.