Hundreds of volunteers are expected to fan out across trails, parks, and communities in Schuyler County on May 2, part of a statewide push to clean up and improve public spaces during I Love My Park Day.
The Catharine Valley Trail will serve as a focal point locally, with volunteers working along the trail corridor to remove debris, manage invasive species, and carry out restoration efforts during the three-hour event.
Organizers say the effort is part of a broader statewide initiative coordinated by Parks & Trails New York in partnership with the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Department of Environmental Conservation. More than 100 parks and historic sites across New York will host volunteer projects the same day.
At the Catharine Valley Trail, participants will gather at the Huck Finn Trailhead at 9 a.m. before spreading out to clean sections of the trail, primarily along its southern stretch toward the Genesee Street trailhead. Volunteers, park staff, and members of the Friends of the Catharine Valley Trail will be on hand throughout the morning.
The event also coincides with several other cleanup efforts across Schuyler County, including a downtown Watkins Glen cleanup, a project at the Finger Lakes National Forest, and an event in the Village of Burdett. While not all are officially part of I Love My Park Day, organizers say they share a common goal of maintaining and improving public spaces.
I Love My Park Day is billed as the largest single-day volunteer event in New York, drawing thousands of participants annually to support conservation and stewardship efforts. Supporters say the work is increasingly important as visitation to parks and outdoor spaces continues to grow.
Local organizers say volunteers play a critical role in keeping trails and parks accessible, safe, and well-maintained, while also building community engagement around environmental stewardship.
The cleanup is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to noon, and participants of all ages are encouraged to take part.
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