In The News

July, 2022

‘Cycle the Erie Canal’ passes through Brockport

Rochester First

BROCKPORT, N.Y. (WROC) — Back in the 1800s when it was first built, the Erie Canal revolutionized the travel of goods and people. Fast forward to 2022 and it’s still doing the same thing, albeit with less focus on the water.

Cyclists prepare for annual trek through New York along the Erie Canal

WAER 88.3

Cyclists from 40 states are making a 400-mile trek during the 24th Annual Cycle the Erie Canal Bike Tour. About 750 participants left Buffalo over the weekend for the annual eight-day tour and will be cycling all the way to Albany. Most will only travel about 40 to 60 miles per day.

Big caravan of cyclists reach Medina on day 1 of canal trek

Orleans Hub

MEDINA – Cyclists, totaling 750 from 40 states, arrived in Medina on Sunday enroute to Albany on the Cycle the Erie Canal Tour.

How New Yorkers can make the best of the state’s outdoor spaces this summer

Spectrum News

New York is home to over 200 state parks and historical sights, scattered all across the state — and Parks & Trails NY has been at the forefront of advocating for these parks for decades. Will Cote is program director for the organization. He joins In Focus to talk about how New Yorkers can make the best of the state’s outdoor spaces this summer. Cote says there’s a lot more to do in the state parks than just hiking — like swimming, biking, or boating. For those who want to learn more about the state parks in their area, he says Parks and Trail NY's website is a great place to start.

June, 2022

Sen. Tom O'Mara: 'Step outside and grow the economy'

The Chronicle Express

Our advocacy work and reports highlighting the economic impact of New York’s parks, historic sites, and trails is quoted in this opinion piece.

May, 2022

Andy Beers retires from career devoted to the outdoors

Albany Times Union

Parks & Trails New York and the Cycle the Erie Canal Tour are mentioned in this acknowledgement of the retirement of the director of the Empire State Trail project.

Friends of Rogers Awarded Grant for Environmental Educator

WICZ Fox 40

Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center was awarded an $80,000 matching grant from the Environmental Protection Fund’s Park and Trail Partnership Grants program to create an environmental educator position who will develop, lead, and organize educational programming for students, youth, families, and special interest groups with an emphasis on adults and seniors. Friends of Rogers will have to raise an additional $20,000 in matching funds, for a project total of $100,000, over two years.

Grants awarded to state parks, trails, historic sites and public lands partner organizations

The Saratogian

NEW YORK — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced $900,000 in grants to support 27 not-for-profit organizations involved with the stewardship of state parks, trails, historic sites, and public lands. The grants support partner group efforts to raise private funds for capital projects, perform maintenance and beautification undertakings, provide educational programming, and promote public use of the parks through hosting of special events.

Governor Hochul announces $900,000 in grants awarded to state parks, trails, historic sites and public lands partner organizations

Hudson Valley 360

ALBANY — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced $900,000 in grants to support 27 not-for-profit organizations involved with the stewardship of state parks, trails, historic sites, and public lands.

Parks & Trails New York announces $50,000 in grants to Genesee Valley Trail Town communities

Olean Times Herald

ALBANY — Parks & Trails New York announced Wednesday the recipients of $50,000 in grants to support communities participating in the Genesee Valley Trail Town initiative, including several in Allegany County.

Volunteers Show Their Love for Canarsie Pier in Spite of Harsh Weather

Canarsie Courier

Enduring strong wind, harsh rain and cold weather, volunteers rallied together on Saturday to beautify and clean up the shoreline around Canarsie Pier.

Volunteers Came Together to Clean Their Parks for a Great Cause

WIBX FM

All state and local parks in New York are absolutely beautiful, but sometimes they need to be shown a little extra love. Volunteers all across New York State came together with their communities this year for National #ILoveMyParkDay. Here's a couple of projects that were completed to help better both their local parks and the environment they support.

Tedisco, Simpson call for ‘I Love NY Parks Summer Discount

Saratogian

Saturday marked I Love My Park Day. Thousands of volunteers from across the state headed to parks, beaches, trails and historic sites to clean up and make improvements to the great outdoors. From Long Island to the Canadian border, more than 150 parks received deserved attention.

Volunteers celebrate I Love My Park Day at Moreau Lake State Park

Spectrum News 1

Saturday marked I Love My Park Day. Thousands of volunteers from across the state headed to parks, beaches, trails and historic sites to clean up and make improvements to the great outdoors. From Long Island to the Canadian border, more than 150 parks received deserved attention.

Volunteers celebrate I Love My Park Day at Green Lakes State Park

Spectrum News 1

Saturday was I Love My Park Day. It’s the 11th annual state-wide effort to clean up, to improve and beautify New York's parks. It welcomes volunteers ready to plant trees, restore trails and remove invasive species.

FDR STATE PARK, YORKTOWN, I LOVE MY PARK DAY MAY 7

Yonkers Times

Join us on Saturday, May 7, for the eleventh annual I Love My Park Day event. Parks & Trails New York, in partnership with New York State Parks and the Department of Environmental Conservation, will host over 150 volunteer events at state parks, historic sites, and public lands across the state.

I Love My Park Day Up and Down the Old Croton Aqueduct in Six Locations

River Journal

This will be the 10th year that the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct will have hosted ILMPD on the Aqueduct Trail sponsored by PTNY

April, 2022

Letter to the Editor: I Love My Park Day

Press Republican

TO THE EDITOR: Our nature is in our park. This year's "I Love My Park Day" is Saturday, May 7. One of New York's finest parks is the North Country's Point au Roche State Park. This 850-acre Park includes hiking and biking trails through forests and rocky peninsulas, plus a sandy beach on Lake Champlain.

17th Annual Canal Clean Sweep in Capital Region is underway

CBS 6 - Albany

Capital Region (WRGB) — New York's largest Earth Day celebration kicks off Friday! Volunteer groups from across New York State will take place in the 17th annual Canal Clean Sweep. Organizers are expecting this year's event to be the most widely attended clean sweep in the 17 years it's been held. More than 120 clean sweep events are scheduled and over 2,500 volunteers will come together this weekend to give back to the trail some say brings joy all year long.

11th annual 'I Love My Park' Day set for May 7

The Chronicle Express

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks), the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) announced that registration is now open for the 11th annual I Love My Park Day, which will be held on Saturday, May 7 at state parks, historic sites, and public lands across New York.