5th Annual ‘I Love My Park Day’ on May 7th ~ Volunteer opportunities available to help beautify local parks, trails, historic sites

Elmira, N.Y., April 28—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) today reminded area residents that the online volunteer registration process is underway for the 5th Annual “I Love My Park Day” on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at state parks and historic sites across New York, including events at several regional sites.

The statewide event, sponsored by Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and local groups, is aimed at encouraging volunteer efforts to enhance New York’s parks and historic sites and promote the entire park system.

“New York can boast of one of America’s outstanding systems of state parks, including a network of historic sites, parks and trails throughout the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions that is second to none,” said O’Mara, who chairs the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee.  “I can’t say enough about this effort to beautify and promote these attractions.  I hope it’s incredibly successful once again this year.”

In 2015, more than 6,500 volunteers took part in over 200 cleanup, improvement and beautification projects at more than 95 state parks and historic sites, contributing more than 12,000 hours of volunteer service.  Sponsors said the annual event has tripled in size since the inaugural event was held in 2012.     

This year, volunteers from every region of New York will once again participate in efforts to beautify, improve and restore state parks, trails and historic sites on Saturday, May 2nd.

O’Mara noted that local “I Love My Park Day” events are scheduled for the Catharine Valley Trail, Ithaca Dog Park at Allan H. Treman Marine State Park, Robert H. Treman State Park, Stony Brook State Park, Taughannock Falls State Park and Two Rivers State Park Recreation Area.

Additional information, including an online registration process, can be found on the Parks & Trails New York website, www.ptny.org/ilovemypark/.