Snapshots of our Statewide Cleanup Events

Spring is in the air, and at PTNY that means big volunteer events that allow New Yorkers to show some love for their favorite parks and trails.

We start off with a little spring cleaning courtesy of Canal Clean Sweep,. Now in its 13th year, Clean Sweep invites thousands of volunteers to over 100 cleanup events across the New York Canal and Canalway Trail system on Earth Day weekend. This year's event was the best yet, with 110 events across the Canal Corridor, ranging from light litter pickup, to planting flowers, to power-tool assisted trimming and maintenance. A great showing by school and scout groups gave this year's events an extra boost, as did the great support for the event from the NYS Canal Corporation. And it wouldn't be Clean Sweep without unearthing some strange finds, or "Canal artifacts." PTNY engaged participant groups in a friendly competition called #WhadjaFind?, asking for pictures of strange finds, largest "collection", and best Clean Sweep spirit. Awards will be announced soon via the ECT Faceboook page.

Check out the Clean Sweep Photo Gallery!

On Saturday, May 5th, more than 8,000 volunteers participated in the 7th Annual I Love My Park Day at 135 state parks, historic sites and public lands, and national parks. PTNY partners with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for this annual event. Other partners include the National Park Service and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The New York State Commission on National and Community Service also participates, sending 400 AmeriCorps, Student Conservation Association and Excelsior Conservation Corps members to help at various sites. Volunteers cleaned up, planted trees and flowers, removed invasive species, restored trails, and built picnic tables, among other projects. Check out our photo gallery!

I Love My Park Day wouldn't be possible without our sponsors, click here for a full list of supporters. And save the date for the 8th Annual I Love My Park Day on Saturday, May 4, 2019!