Register to Volunteer on I Love My Park Day in the Hudson Valley

Registration is now open for the sixth annual I Love My Park Day, to be held on May 6 at state parks, historic sites and public lands across New York, including 15 in the Hudson Valley.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in clean up events at more than 100 state parks, historic sites and public lands from Jones Beach State Park to Niagara Falls State Park and covering all regions in between.

Here are the parks participating in the Hudson Valley:

In addition, five national parks across New York will participate:

• Gateway National Recreation Area (Great Kills, Staten Island and Plumb Beach, Jamaica Bay, Queens);
• Fort Stanwix National Monument (Rome);
• Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites (Hyde Park);
• Fire Island National Seashore (Ocean Beach);
• Saratoga Battlefield Historical Park (Stillwater).

A full list of participating state sites is available here. And that's also where you can go to learn about where to go, when to meet, what to bring, and how to get more information.

The event, sponsored by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Parks & Trails New York, is a statewide event to enhance New York’s parks and historic sites and raise awareness and visibility to the entire parks system and its needs. This year’s event includes partnerships with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the National Park Service.

"New York’s park system is second to none and is a premier showcase of the natural beauty in every part of this great state," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in the announcement. "As we approach the sixth annual I Love My Park Day, I encourage New Yorkers to join us, enjoy all our parks have to offer, and help us to protect and preserve our system for generations to come."

Volunteers will celebrate New York’s public lands by cleaning up debris, planting trees and gardens, restoring trails and wildlife habitats, removing invasive species, and working on various site improvement projects all over the state.

For example, at Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Westchester County, the organizers say:

We need volunteers to help liberate native trees from invasive vines at Rockwood Hall this year; an Olmsted designed landscape with views of the Hudson River. Some equipment will be available, but we request volunteers come prepared with handsaws, loppers, and appropriate clothing such as pants and long sleeves. Some of the work areas may be wet, so bring waterproof boots. Appropriate for 13 and up. Please bring garden gloves, appropriate clothing such as waterproof boots, pants, long sleeves and gloves. Some tools will be available. If able, please bring handsaws and loopers.

The New York State Commission on Volunteer and Community Service is joining the effort again this year to help recruit volunteers, promote the initiative and provide support to projects across the state. Members of the New York State Excelsior Conservation Corps, a New York State AmeriCorps program run by the Student Conservation Association, will help State Parks organize and implement I Love My Park Day projects.

Learn about the projects and register here for I Love My Park Day.