New Yorkers were out cleaning litter at hundreds of parks on Saturday, part of the annual “I Love My Park Day” or “It’s My Park Day” events.
In New York City, community groups organized volunteer projects and free cultural events in neighborhood parks, with projects including horticulture, painting projects, raking, and events such as dance performances and kayaking. Volunteers visited around 150 parks for the “It’s My Park Day” events.
“It’s a great way to give back to the community, meet new people, and spend time out in nature. Bonus? It’s fun!” said Amanda Cobb, a volunteer with the Yale Alumni Association of New York (YAANY) on the YAANY blog. Cobb helped rake leaves, edge pathways and remove litter at Prospect Park in Brooklyn.
Statewide, 77 state parks and historic sites were part of “I Love My Park Day,” which was organized by Parks & Trails New York, in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and local friends groups.
“This state has really great, great park system, especially times like now when the economy is a little tight, we have to remember what we have, and what we have in our own backyard, and what we have that is accessible and economic and people should look at the state park system,” said Gov. Andrea Cuomo in a statement.
