I Love My Park Day

Wantagh Twin Lakes Preserve

Wantagh, Nassau County

Time: 10am – 12pm

Meeting location: Forest Lake School Parking Lot, 3100 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, NY 11793

Project: Light litter pickup.

Volunteers should bring: Please bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent and garden gloves for handling trash.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Kenneth L. Wilson Campground and Day Use Area

Mt. Tremper, Ulster County

Time: 10am – 2pm

Meeting location: Day Use Area Pavilion

Project: Facility/campsite cleanup and garden maintenance/weeding.

Volunteers should bring: Work/gardening gloves, water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY! 

Norrie Point Environmental Center with Riverkeeper

Straatsburg, Dutchess County

Time: 10am – 1pm

Meeting location: Please meet at the Environmental Center.

Project: Join DEC staff in partnering with Riverkeeper’s Annual River Sweep to restore our watershed’s shoreline by cleaning up marine debris.

Volunteers should bring: Work gloves, water bottle and clothing for all weather.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center with the Stony Kill Foundation

Wappingers Falls, Dutchess County

Time: 9am – 12pm

Meeting location: We will meet at the picnic tables across from the big red barn at Stony Kill Farm.

Project: Preparing our garden pathways, prepping our education garden, and work on our pollinator garden.

Volunteers should bring: A water bottle and a snack. Feel free to bring your own gloves if you have them, however gloves and tools will be provided.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Five Rivers Environmental Education Center with the Friends of Five Rivers

Delmar, Albany County

Time: 9am – 12pm

Meeting location: We'll assemble at 9am at the pavilion visible from the main Five Rivers parking lot.

Project: Volunteers will assist with a variety of projects including native plantings, removing invasive species, and trail work.

Volunteers should bring: Wear sturdy shoes, bring a water bottle, and bring labeled gardening tools (if you have them). We will send out a more detailed email with instructions closer to the event.

Additional information: We will have some refreshments to enjoy while volunteers assemble in the morning.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

North – South Lake Campground and Day Use Area

Haines Falls, Greene County

Time: 9am – 12pm

Meeting location: Meet at booth at campground entrance.

Project: Facility cleanup, picnic table assembly, and pollinator garden cleanup.

Volunteers should bring: Work/gardening gloves, water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Ausable Point Campground and Day Use Area

Peru, Clinton County

Time: 10am – 2pm

Meeting location: Pavilion at beach.

Project: Facility/campsite cleanup, picnic table placement, painting and building prep.

Volunteers should bring: Work/gardening gloves, water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center

Paul Smith’s, Franklin County

Time: 10am – 1pm

Meeting location: Volunteers will meet at the Visitor Interpretative Center Lodge.

Project: Native plant bed cleanup and trail maintenance around the facility and butterfly house.

Volunteers should bring: Dress for all weather conditions. Wear closed toed shoes, gloves (we'll have some to lend out), and lunch.

Additional information: We will provide water, coffee and snacks. After the event, volunteers are welcome to enjoy the property on their own or participate in a guided walk.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Lake George Battlefield Day Use Area

Lake George, Warren County

Time: 10am – 2pm

Meeting location: Lake George Maintenance Center at 59 Fort George Road, Lake George, NY 12845

Project: Facility/statue area cleanup, tree potting, and pollinator garden and barrel prep.

Volunteers should bring: Work/gardening gloves, water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY! 

Lake George Beach Day Use Area

Lake George, Warren County

Time: 10am – 2pm

Meeting location: At front of beach house.

Project: Facility cleanup, tree potting, and pollinator garden prep.

Volunteers should bring: Work/gardening gloves, water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Moffitt Beach Campground and Day Use Area

Lake Pleasant, Hamilton County

Time: 9am – 12pm

Meeting location: Campground booth.

Project: Raking and facility cleanup.

Volunteers should bring: Work/gardening gloves, water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Lewey Lake Campground and Day Use Area

Lake Pleasant, Hamilton County

Time: 10am – 2pm

Meeting location: Maintenance garage at entrance.

Project: Raking, facility cleanup, and tree planting.

Volunteers should bring: Work/gardening gloves, water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Rogers Rock Campground and Day Use Area

Hague, Warren County

Time: 9am – 1pm

Meeting location: Campground booth.

Project: Raking and facility cleanup, painting/staining, campsite cleanup, and picnic table placement.

Volunteers should bring: Work/gardening gloves, water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Cranberry Lake Campground and Day Use Area

Cranberry Lake, St. Lawrence County

Time: 9am – 1pm

Meeting location: Garage at campground entrance.

Project: Facility cleanup, tree planting, pollinator barrels, and bat boxes.

Volunteers should bring: Work/gardening gloves, water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Rogers Environmental Education Center with the Friends of Rogers

Sherburne, Chenango County

Time: 9am – 11am

Meeting location: Please park in the Visitor Lot and walk over the bridge to the Visitor Center. We will meet near the lower entrance in the parking lot of the Visitor Center.

Project: We will be doing trail maintenance, including trimming and mulching.

Volunteers should bring: Comfortable, closed-toed shoes, and work gloves if desired (we have some for those who don't have their own).

Appropriate for ages 13 and up. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Montezuma Audubon Center with the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex

Savannah, Wayne County

Time: 9am – 12pm

Meeting location: Montezuma Audubon Center, 2295 State Route 89, Savannah, NY 13146

Project: Restoration of the native plant demonstration garden to benefit birds and other pollinator species. We'll weed, prune and spread mulch in preparation for the growing season.

Volunteers should bring: Water, snacks, sunscreen, hat and shoes/clothes that can get dirty. Tools and work gloves will be provided.

Additional information: Lunch will be provided by the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex.

Appropriate for ages 13 and up. Space is limited and registration is required. TO REGISTER, VISIT THE MONTEZUMA AUDUBON CENTER'S WEBSITE!

Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area with Monroe County

Hilton, Monroe County

Time: 9am – 12pm

Meeting location: Planting will occur in the forest on the east side of East Manitou Road. This is across from 199 East Manitou Road (Braddock Bay Park). Parking will be on the shoulder of East Manitou Road and along the side road that leads to Braddock Bay Park. Look for temporary event signs and DEC and/or Monroe County vehicles and park by them. Coordinates 43.299402, -77.716210.

Project: This is a tree planting event. Trees will be young and small in size with bare roots.  A planting demonstration will be provided and then volunteers will grab trees and plant independently. After trees are planted, volunteers will assist as protectors (e.g., tubes, cages) are installed around the trees to prevent deer and rabbit damage.

Volunteers should bring: Tools to borrow will be limited, so if you can, please bring shovels, loppers, and 5-gallon buckets. Volunteers should wear work gloves, sturdy footwear, long pants and long sleeve shirts. Please bring sun block, bug spray, snacks, and drinking water.

Additional information: The nearest restroom is approximately 0.5 miles away at Braddock Bay Park. The tree planting site could be muddy.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Boutwell Hill State Forest with the Chautauqua County Equestrian Trail System, Inc.

Cherry Creek, Chautauqua County

Time: 10am – 3pm

Meeting location: Ruttenbur Trailhead, 2099 Ruttenbur Road, Cherry Creek, NY 14723

Project: Planting 75 bare root trees and cleaning multi-use trails from the winter debris (use of blowers, rakes, loppers and picking up fallen branches).

Volunteers should bring: Water bottles, bug spray and appropriate footwear – dress for the weather.

Additional information: A Hot Dog Lunch will be provided for volunteers at noon at the Ruttenbur Trailhead.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

North Harmony State Forest with the Chautauqua County Equestrian Trail System, Inc.

Panama, Chautauqua County

Time: 9am – 1pm

Meeting location: Jasper Park Picnic Area, 2347 Warner Road, Panama, NY 14767

Project: Tree planting, picnic area cleanup, and trail clearing and marking.

Volunteers should bring: Boots, gloves, insect repellent, pruning tools and weed whackers.

Additional information: Lunch will be provided at Jasper Picnic for all volunteers from 12-1pm.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Phillips Creek State Forest with IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails, Inc.

West Almond, Allegany County

Time: 10am – 1pm

Meeting location: State Route 244 Parking Area, Phillips Creek State Forest, Belmont, NY 14813

Project: Spring trail cleanup and brush removal.

Volunteers should bring: Please bring work gloves, mud boots, loppers and hand saws.

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!

Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve with the Friends of Reinstein Woods

Depew, Erie County

Time: 10am – 12pm

Meeting location: Reinstein Woods Education Center.

Project: Planting trees, removing invasive species, removing old compost bins, weeding garden beds, and picking up litter.

Volunteers should bring: We recommend that you bring: a water bottle and work gloves (if you have them). Please dress for the weather. We recommend sturdy shoes (no sandals, flipflops or crocs), long pants, long-sleeved shirt, a hat, sunblock, and bug spray. We will have some work gloves and other tools available for use.

Additional information: We intend to work even if it is raining; we will cancel if there is thunder and lightning or high wind warnings.

Appropriate for ages 13 and up. TO REGISTER, VISIT THE FRIENDS OF REINSTEIN WOODS' WEBSITE! 

Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area – Valentine Flats Trail with the Finger Lakes Trail Conference

Gowanda, Erie County

Time: 11am – 1pm

Meeting location: We will meet at the Valentine Flats parking area: 10112 Valentine Flats Rd, Gowanda, NY 14070. There is a large parking area, where members of the coordination team will be waiting.

Project: Come join us for a clean-up at Zoar Valley’s Valentine Flats trail for I Love My Park Day 2025! We will provide garbage bags for cleaning. We will start by scouring the newly opened Memorial Trail above the gorge and will move down to Cattaraugus Creek and the confluence part of the trail afterwards. Please note, there is a 400 feet elevation change when moving into and out of the valley.

Volunteers should bring: Please bring gloves, snacks, outdoor gear like bug spray, appropriate footwear, sunscreen, and long pants (in case of moving off trail). If you have trash grabbers or other tools for picking up trash, feel free to bring those as well!

All ages welcome. REGISTER at PARKS & TRAILS NY!