I Love My Park Day (ILMPD) is annually held on the first Saturday of May, a NYS Parks initiative.  May 6th 2017 is the the 6th annual ILMPD and there are numerous opportunities in which to become involved on ILMPD.  Many NYS Parks have planned activities for ILMPD, and many of the activities are targeted with improvement of the respective park.

Info is available on “Parks and Trails New York” website at a special webpage =   www.ptny.org/ilovemypark      Information also may be available for some opportunities and activities on the NYS Parks website.   (Of note, the www.ptny.org website also holds information on numerous other observances and opportunities that occur throughout the year, all targeted at outdoor areas for recreation, relaxation and enjoyment.)

The three STATE PARKS closest to the homerange of Springwater Trails hikers that have participating opportunities in 2017 are Genesee Valley Greenway State Park (aka GVG), Stony Brook State Park, and Letchworth State Park.

GENESEE VALLEY GREENWAY STATE PARK

FOGVG website (in conjunction with the GVGSP) has posted info about opportunities in the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park for ILMPD 2017.  FOGVG Facebook page

GVGSP Facebook page

A clean-up event in Little Black Creek Park, located off Scottsville Rd along the GVG (Chili, Monroe County), is scheduled at 9:00AM-12:00Noon.  There is a former Genesee Valley Canal culvert and waste weir on the GVG in Chili, so there’s an opportunity to learn and view some history at this clean-up event.  (Details can be gleaned from the FOGVG Facebook page.)

FOGVG is also leading a hike on miles 80-83 of the GVGSP at 10:00AM May 6th, in Allegany County near the hamlet of Black Creek.  (Details can be gleaned from the FOGVG Facebook page.)

STONY BROOK STATE PARK has a participatory event scheduled from 10:00AM-12:00Noon; meet at Clara Barton Shelter near the main parking area.  One of the planned activities is picking up of the gorge trail, which seasonally closed Nov 19, 2016.  (You can be one of the first this season to traverse the Gorge Trail on this day.)  Grounds cleaning, Ball Field improvements and grass seeding are also among some activities.

LETCHWORTH STATE PARK from 8:30AM – 1:00PM has planned the following participatory events.  Project/Event Description: Leaf and trash removal, garden cleaning, stone staircase maintenance (Shoveling), Playground maintenance, and invasive plant removal.   Meeting Location is at Trailside Lodge. All ages welcome.

These are merely a small smattering of the opportunities to participate in during ILMPD – NYS 2017.  – – – If passing through a park admission gate enroute to ILMPD 2017, be sure and inform the staff that you are participating in ILMPD efforts, and ask for directions to the meeting location if you need direction.