Assembly Resolution No. 335

BY: M. of A. O'Donnell

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to declare
May 4, 2019, as I Love My Park Day in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by
the availability of exceptional recreational facilities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 4, 2019, as I Love
My Park Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The Eighth Annual I Love My Park Day is an exciting
statewide event to improve and enhance New York's parks and historic
sites and bring visibility to the entire park system and its needs; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of volunteers from across the State will
participate in cleanup, improvement, and beautification events at 142
New York State parks and historic sites, coming together to celebrate
and maintain the shared public spaces that foster strong community bonds
and appreciation of nature and history; and

WHEREAS, Coordinated statewide by Parks & Trails New York in
partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation &
Historic Preservation, and the New York State Commission on National and
Community Service, volunteers will ensure that New York's parks remain
beautiful and accessible by cleaning up park lands and beaches, planting
trees and gardens, restoring trails and wildlife habitat, removing
invasive species, and working on various site improvement projects; and

WHEREAS, Parks & Trails New York remains the leading statewide
organization working to preserve and enhance a network of parks,
greenways, and trails for all New Yorkers for generations to come; since
1985, its influential reports and advocacy efforts have been critical to
keeping parks and historic sites open and protecting New York's natural,
recreational, cultural, and historical resources; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to iconic parks and
historical sites such as the mighty Niagara Falls, the oldest state park
in the country; Letchworth State Park, also known as the Grand Canyon of
the East; Jones Beach, a world class swimming destination which welcomes
twice as many yearly visitors as Yellowstone National Park; Walkway Over
the Hudson State Historic Park, provides breathtaking views of the
Hudson River's landscape and is the longest, elevated pedestrian bridge
in the world; Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, the only park of its
kind in the Western Hemisphere, home to a 28-acre multi-level landscaped
recreational complex rising 69 feet above the Hudson River; Olana, the
19th Century home of Hudson River School artist Frederic Edwin Church;
and Oriskany Battlefield, the site of one of the most significant
battles of the Revolutionary War; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Park system includes 180 state parks and
38 state historic sites, 17 nature centers, covering a total of 330,000
acres of protected lands and water, 2,000 miles of hiking trails, over
8,500 campsites, numerous swimming pools, beaches, boat launches, nature
centers, and golf courses which contribute significant benefits to New
York State's economy, health, environment and history; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body, representing the people of the State
of New York, supports this vital day and encourages the citizens of this
great Empire State to participate in the I Love My Park Day activities
scheduled throughout the state to strengthen their commitment to
preserving the natural, scenic, and recreational qualities of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 4, 2019, as I Love
My Park Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York; Parks & Trails New York; and the New York State Office of
Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.