Here are some of the state-wide events the Friends have participated in.
I Love My Park Day
This is our most exciting event that includes members from our community. On the first Saturday of May, parks throughout New York State host events so volunteers can contribute to the beauty and maintenance of the parks they love. We have consistently had 100 volunteers and have participated in projects including: setting up the campsites for campers, beach cleanups, planting trees, raking and prepping park grounds, and weeding gardens around the site. Volunteers contribute 3 hours of their time and leave with a positive feeling not only about the work they have done but also get a chance to see the many activities the Friends are involved in. We are also grateful to the Hamlin Lions Club for providing food and refreshments both in the morning and for a pizza lunch.
First Day Hike
The Friends participate in this state-wide park event on the 1st of January each year. We welcome community members and have either independent hikes with a route lined with educational signs, or a hike led by park staff. We are fortunate to now have environmental educators in Hamlin Beach who are willing to offer these educational hikes. This year we had well over 100 participants and in 2025 we expanded our program to offer more two hikes.
At the conclusion of the hike we offer a warming station with coffee and hot cocoa and park swag that the state provides. It’s one of those great outreaches that we all enjoy.
Park Advocacy Day
This year our Friends president participated in Park Advocacy Day by traveling to Albany and met 130 other members of Friends groups. We worked in teams to speak with representatives to advocate for financial resources for all NYS parks. It was a huge success!
NYS Parks Centennial Celebration/Bash at the Beach
Throughout 2024 New York State Parks celebrated the 100th anniversary of New York State Parks. On June 30th, 2024 we had a special celebration at Hamlin Beach with many events that were well attended. The day started with a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the purchase of more Mobi mats that make our beach more accessible. The Mobi mats were supported with funding from the NYS Park and Trail Partnership Grants and New York’s Environmental Protection Fund. Park and Trail Partnership Grants are administered by Parks & Trails New York, in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The Friends then held our first non-competitive Sandcastle Contest and the kids created a wide variety of fun sandcastles and “resorts”. In the evening we were delighted that Highway 31 provided a concert which was followed by fireworks. What a great day we had celebrating our parks with our community!
Fish and Wildlife Day
In 2024 we participated in our first Fish and Wildlife Day that is sponsored by Parks and Trails New York. Volunteers worked hard adding wood chips to two of our trails while other volunteers planted native pollinators in our unmowed area. Our environmental educator, Lara, then took the volunteers on a nature walk and returned to a light lunch provided by the Friends. We enjoyed meeting many new volunteers including students from SUNY Brockport. We value our volunteers!
