We are grateful for all the people and organizations who have sponsored us; whether it’s with a simple membership fee or a large financial grant. And of course, we highly value our volunteers and all the work that they do. During 2024, we have over 2,000 documented volunteer hours!
Parks and Trails New York
Our largest financial sponsor to date is Parks and Trails New York. They have supported four individual grants so far and also provide many educational opportunities and a variety of resources for all Friends group to access.
- 2015: $14,899 Grant approved for development and installation of interpretive signs, used for self-guided tours of the CCC/POW camp. Project completed.
- 2017: $15,740 Grant approved for stone pathways, for easier access for wheelchairs and visitors to tour the CCC/POW camp. Project completed.
- 2022: $29,118 Grant approved: installation of numerous Mobi mats to increase accessibility to Area 3 beaches. This grant also allowed us to purchase 21 ADA compliant picnic tables.
- 2023: $20,000 Grant approved: Increase Capacity. This grant allowed us to hire a website designer, aurora design, to create a website that will allow us to reach a wider audience. This grant has also allowed us to purchase many needed items for our organization including advertising tools, educational materials that our environmental educators can use, and the materials to build recycling bins for the campground.
- 2024: $135,000 Grant approved: Accessibility to the hexagon building in Area 4 and the nearby bathroom. To date (August 2025) the sidewalks to the bathroom and the hexagon building have been upgraded for accessibility. The stairs to the hexagon building were removed and an accessible sloped sidewalk installed. The hexagon building has not be used since the 1990’s and was a concession stand. We are converting the building to a Nature/Visitor center that will be used by the Friends and our environmental educators for visitor programs, educational activities and meetings. For this grant, an accessible water fountain will be installed outside, the bathroom stalls will be upgraded and the roof will be repaired.
Other Financial Donations
- Hamlin Lions Club – donated $500 as a thank you for supporting their pancake breakfasts in the park.
- Enterprise Mobility Foundation – Team member and Friends member, Sara Mendola, sponsored our organization resulting in a $2,000 grant to be used for our work.
- Hamlin VFW – donated $500 which we will use to support work in the new nature/visitor center in Area 4.
