In The News

May, 2021

Volunteers turn out for Chenango Canal Clean Sweep

Observer Dispatch

Temperatures were in the 70s as 23 volunteers from ages four to 70 met April 24 at the summit of the Chenango Canal Towpath Trail in Bouckville to pick up trash, rake and use loppers to widen a large section of the trail to its original 10-foot width.

Volunteers participate in 'I Love My Park Day' across New York State

WGRZ-Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. — This weekend New Yorkers are rolling up their sleeves to help improve and enhance New York State's outdoor spaces. In honor of the tenth annual "I Love My Park Day" over 5,000 volunteers signed up to help clean and improve parks, historic sites, and public lands across New York State. More than 120 sites across the state hosted cleanup events on Saturday and Sunday.

NYS residents pitch in to help beautify state parks this weekend

Spectrum News

The largest single-day volunteer event in New York is celebrating its 10th anniversary over the course of a full weekend. More than 5,000 people are pitching in at over 140 events to work on New York State Parks Saturday and Sunday.

April, 2021

I Love My Park Day hosts 10th annual volunteer weekend

NEWS 10 (ABC)

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – More than 120 New York State parks, historic sites and public lands are hosting volunteer events Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2, as part of the 10th annual I Love My Park Day. I Love My Park Day is a statewide event that improves and enhances New York’s outdoor spaces. More than 5,000 volunteers are expected to roll up their sleeves on cleanup, improvement, and beautification projects.

I Love My Park Day at Walt Whitman Birthplace

Patch.com

Walt Whitman Birthplace Association is delighted to host volunteers at Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site as part of more than 100 cleanup, improvement, and beautification events happening statewide.

New York's largest Earth Day celebration kicks off Friday

Niagara Frontier Publications

More than 100 Canal Clean Sweep events scheduled across New York. Volunteer groups across New York are making final preparations for the annual Canal Clean Sweep, the spring cleaning of the NYS Canal System and Canalway Trail, with most events scheduled for the upcoming weekend, April 23-25.

Letter: Let’s give back to the parks after it gave so much to us

Buffalo News

Spring always brings with it a yearning for fresh air and time in nature, but this year that desire is stronger than ever. As we emerge from a long winter stifled by Covid-19 restrictions, we are reminded of the vital role our parks, trails and public lands play in our physical and mental health.

Open Spaces

Mid-Hudson Times

Letter to the Editor from our Program Director, Will Cote, focusing on our upcoming annual I Love My Park Day.

State budget shows commitment to environmental protection

Ken-Ton Bee

Parks & Trails New York praised the Legislature and governor for passing a 2021- 2022 budget this April that establishes an environmental legacy for generations to come, demonstrating a sustained commitment to shared green space and public health.

I Love My Park Day Returns For 2021

Adirondack Almanac

In partnership with Parks & Trails New York, New York State announced that registration is open for the 10th annual I Love My Park Day, which will be held May 1-2 at 120 state Parks, historic sites, and other public lands across New York.

NY state budget includes more than $3.5B in environmental funding

WBNG News 12

Our Program Director, Will Cote is quoted talking about the boost in funding in the approved state budget.

Letter: Investing in parks means investing in public health

Albany Times Union

Letter to the Editor from PTNY's Executive Director, Robin Dropkin, about the importance of investing in our outdoor public spaces for all.

Love your park by helping to clean it up

Syracuse.com

Letter to the editor from our Program Director, Will Coté promoting our annual I Love My Park Day event.

Registration now open for 'I Love My Park Day 2021'

WGRZ-Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Registration is currently open for anyone looking to participate in New York State's 10th annual "I Love My Park Day." Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that the two day event will be held across New York State on May 1 and May 2 at state parks, historic sites and public lands. The event aims to enhance these New York attractions, as well as raising "awareness and visibility to the state outdoor recreation assets and their needs."

March, 2021

Surge in Trail Use Good News

The Recorder

Between 2019 and 2020, visits to the Canalway Trail increased more than 30 percent, to 3.9 million, according to a new report from Parks & Trails NY and the New York State Canal Corporation. The recreation boom is great news for Montgomery County, which has seen an uptick in visitors to communities and attractions along the Mohawk River.

Area canalway trail usage increased in 2020

The Saratogian

ALBANY, N.Y. — Use along the Erie Canalway Trail and Champlain Canalway Trail increased last year, according to the 2020 Who’s on the Trail report from Parks & Trails New York and the New York State Canal Corporation.

Niawanda Park sets all-time record for Erie Canalway Trail use

The Buffalo News

Our Who's on the Trail report has yielded some record-breaking trail use stats from 2020 including this section at the western end of the Erie Canal.

Letchworth Gateway Villages launches ‘Trail Town Destination’ project

The Daily News Online

PTNY Program Director, Dylan Carey, participated as a panelist discussing the new Trail Town Destination Development project that aims to boost outdoor tourism and the region’s COVID-19 recovery by establishing a network of 10 hospitality hubs, or “Trail Towns” along the Genesee Valley Greenway and Genesee River corridor.

February, 2021

Bicyclists are good business, especially in Empire State Trail Towns

The Hudson Independent

Parks & Trails New York is re­ward­ing and cer­ti­fy­ing busi­nesses that of­fer ac­com­mo­da­tions to bi­cy­clists, from bike racks out front to healthy, lo­cally-sourced food.

Applications now being accepted for $1M grant program to improve state parks, trails, historic sites and public lands

Hudson Valley 360

ALBANY — Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), with support from Governor Cuomo and the NYS Legislature, are pleased to announce the sixth round of competitive grants through the NYS Park and Trail Partnership Grants program, funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund.