Get Outdoors And Help New York State Parks On 'I Love My Park Day'

NEW YORK STATE — New York has some of the most beautiful state parks in the national. From the beaches of Long Island to the forests upstate, there's something for everyone to do outdoors.

May 7 is "I Love My Park Day," and parks across New York state are holding events that you can participate in. There are parks across the state that can use help with various projects.

Here are just a few that you and your family can get involved in. If you're interested in any of them, make sure to email the organizer and sign up.

Captree State Park, 3500 Ocean Parkway, Bay Shore

• Project: Planting of annual and perennial floors, beachfront clean up.
• Time: 8 a.m. to noon.
• Meeting spot: Captree Facility Building
• Organizer: David VanDyne, DavidJ.VanDyne@parks.ny.gov
• Volunteers should bring: Gloves

Orient Beach State Park, 40000 Main Road, Orient

• Project: Beach clean up; planting of local beach grasses along border edges.
• Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Meeting spot: Volunteers will meet in the parking lot and then spread out
• Organizer: Kristle LaFurno, kristle.lafurno@parks.ny.gov
• Volunteers should bring: Gloves

Jay Heritage Center, 210 Boston Post Road, Rye

• Project: Beautify the Jay Estate, the 23-acre park that was once the home of U.S. Founding Father John Jay. Volunteers will be pulling invasive species like mugwort and garlic mustard, as well as raking leaves and cleaning up the park. Plus: free ice cream!
• Time: 9 a.m. to noon.
• Meeting Spot: Enter at main gate, drive past the mansion, and park in the main lot.
• Organizer: Barbara Specht, peraino.jhc@gmail.com
• Volunteers should bring: Gloves

Robert H. Treman State Park, 105 Enfield Falls Road, Ithaca

• Project: Planting trees, pulling invasive plants, cleaning trails, cleaning the Old Mill museum, and painting.
• Time: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Meeting Spot: Lower Robert H Treman State Park- cross bridge to campground- Meeting location is at the South Shelter.
• Organizer: Cassy Lovlace, cassy.lovelace@parks.ny.gov
• Volunteers should bring: Gloves

Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park, 700 Kanawauke Road, Stony Point

• Project: General beautification projects, planting flowers, raking leaves, cleaning up the playground.
• Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Meeting Spot: Beaver Pond main office. Park in the lot to the right of the flag pole, upon entry.
• Organizer: Tracey Love, tracey.love@parks.ny.gov
• Volunteers should bring: Gloves

Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park, 15 Walnut St., Dobbs Ferry

• Project: Improve the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail by removing invasive vines, plants and bushes and some limit. Participants will learn how to identify the targeted invasive species and how to manage them by either cutting them or digging them up by the roots. There will also be an opportunity to do some restoration planting with native species. Those wishing to remove tree-strangling vines from the edges of the trail will work under the expert supervision of skilled arborists, but will have to be prepared,agile volunteers able to work along a hilly section. They will work in teams alongside experienced naturalists. Tasks will be available for all ages and skill levels; no experience necessary.
• Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Meeting Spot: On the Old Croton Trail where it intersects with Quaker Bridge Road in Croton on Hudson, next to House #120 Quaker Bridge Road. Look for banners and white canopy. Park on Quaker Bridge Road between houses #124 and #99 Quaker Bridge Road in designated parking spots marked by Volunteer Park Here signs. Report to registration table to verify registration and to receive your name tag and T-shirt.
• Organizer: Diane Alden, daldenpc@bestweb.net
• Volunteers should bring: Although gloves and tools will b e available on site, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves, loppers, pruners and hand saws. Also trowels if they wish to assist in the planting project. To avoid ticks, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and wear sturdy shoes. Best to wear long socks to pull them over your pants. A hat is also recommended. Water and snacks will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring your own.

Sunken Meadow State Park, Rte. 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park

• Project: Painting lifeguard stands, building picnic tables, planting flowers.
• Time: 9 to 11 a.m.
• Meeting spot: Volunteers will meet by the main bathhouse, located in Field 1.Parking will be available at the Field 1.
• Organizer: Marco Flores, Marco.Flores@parks.ny.gov
• Volunteers should bring: Gloves. Wear hard-soled shoes for safety.

Sterling Forest State Park, 116 Old Forge Road, Tuxedo Park

• Project: Colorful cleanup at the Visitor Center. Plant flowers, clean and mulch beds, paint decorative garden stones and bird houses.
• Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Meeting spot: Park in main parking lot at 115 Old Forge Road, and walk down to the Visitor Center.
• Organizer: Michael McElroy, michael.mcelroy@parks.ny.gov
• Volunteers should bring: Gloves, tools.

Bayswater Point State Park, 1479 Point Breeze Place, Far Rockaway

• Project: Volunteers will be planting native wildflowers in a small meadow restoration area. Volunteers will also participate in a beach clean-up and debris removal project.
• Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Meeting spot: Meet at the Sunset Lodge at 14-79 Point Breeze Place, Far Rockaway, Queens. Drive to the end of Mott Avenue and turn right onto Point Breeze Place. It is the large yellow house on the left.
• Organizer: Jennifer Adams, jennifer.adams@parks.ny.gov
• Volunteers should bring: Gloves, water.

Montauk Point State Park, 2000 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk

• Project: Beach clean-up, pruning back the four-wheel-drive Beach Access Roads
• Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Meeting spot: Montauk Point State Park Lower Parking Lot at Park Office.
• Organizer: Thomas Dress, Thomas.dess@parks.ny.gov
• Volunteers should bring: Gloves, tools.

For even more projects in parks around the state and to sign up, click here.