Senate Resolution No. 2014

BY: Senator FUNKE

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 6, 2017, 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 6, 2017, as I Love
My Park Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The Sixth 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 more
than 100 New York State parks and historic sites; they will be 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, 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, In celebration of the Sixth Anniversary, I Love My Park Day
2017 will include public lands in the Adirondacks and Catskills managed
by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; 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; 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
35 state historic sites, covering a total of 330,000 acres of protected
lands and water, 1,350 miles of hiking trails, over 8,000 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 6, 2017, 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.