Colonial Acres Park (formerly Colonial Acres Golf Course) will be the site of Bethlehem’s 2019 “I Love My Park Day” on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to noon. Hosted by Friends of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation in conjunction with Parks & Trails New York and the Town of Bethlehem, the event is being sponsored by a generous donation from M&T Bank.

“I Love My Park Day” volunteers of all ages are being sought for raking and general spring clean-up, weeding and planting flowers, and updating the picnic area. The first 50 volunteers to register by April 17 will receive a Friends of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation t-shirt.

Parks & Trails New York organized the first “I Love My Park Day” in 2012 to enhance State parks and historic sites, boost volunteerism and raise the visibility of the entire State parks system and its needs. Many locally owned parks and their friends groups now participate in the event as well. This is Bethlehem’s sixth annual “I Love My Park Day.”

Registration:

To volunteer, contact info@friendsofbethlehemparks.org. Please indicate number of volunteers and t-shirt sizes (Adult small, medium, large, extra-large, and 2x available). Volunteers should wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to protect themselves from scrapes and insect bites, as well as shoes appropriate for muddy conditions. If possible, please bring work gloves, a rake and gardening tools. The rain date is Sunday, May 5 — registrants will be notified in the event of a rain delay.

Questions? Call 518-605-6580

Directions: Colonial Acres Park is located at 15 Saybrook Drive, Glenmont (from Feura Bush Road, turn on to East Bayberry Rd, then turn right onto Saybrook Drive)

Show Bethlehem parks some love — volunteer on May 4!

Click here for the full brochure .

Spend the day with Friends in Boston!! Attend the Boston Flower & Garden Show. This year’s theme is “The Beauty of Balance” -- for more information, visit bostonflowershow.com.

Or spend the day your way – explore the North End, go to the New England Aquarium, walk the Freedom Trail, visit one of the world-class museums, or take advantage of Boston’s unique shopping scene.

The bus will leave Elm Avenue Park at 8 a.m. and return at 10 p.m. The cost is $65 per person for the bus and a discounted Flower Show ticket, or $49 for the bus alone. The cost includes a driver’s tip, an afternoon shuttle from the Flower Show to Faneuil Hall, and a donation to Friends of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation.

Print out the flyer,  complete the form, and submit your payment by February 15.

Questions? Contact info@friendsofbethlehemparks.org or call 518-605-6580.

Dogs in Bethlehem Town Parks: Community Survey Report

In the winter of 2018, nearly 1,200 people weighed in by taking the Dogs in Bethlehem Town Parks: Community Survey. Friends of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation sought the community’s opinion to help the group develop recommendations for updating Town park dog policies. Updated policies are a goal of Bethlehem’s 2015 Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Master Plan.

Currently, animals are not allowed in most Town parks. Exceptions include Moh-He-Con-Nuck Nature Preserve, where leashed dogs are allowed, and the Town Dog Park, where on- and off-leash dogs are allowed by permit. Also, while dogs are not generally allowed in Henry Hudson Park, they are allowed on the public road that runs through the park, in accordance with Bethlehem Town Code.

The questions in the survey pertained to all Town parks except the Dog Park. We expect to explore issues around the Dog Park at a later time. Also, consideration was given to on-leash access only.

The Community Survey Report can be found by clicking here.  A second report – including policy and facility research, input from Town administrators, survey findings, and recommendations will be available shortly.

Today -- #GivingTuesday -- we start our Year-end Giving Campaign to help support our activities as we update our strategic plan and look forward to 2019.

Our ongoing activities and events include …

• Organizing Bethlehem’s annual I Love My Park Day
• Creating and managing the Commemorative Tree & Bench Program
• Maintaining a Scholarship Fund to help residents in need participate in Parks and Recreation activities
• Assisting the Parks and Recreation Department by …
  • Raising funds for park improvements and programs 
  • Enlisting volunteers for Parks and Recreation projects 
  • Researching policy options
  • Sharing information about Parks and Recreation events and programs

All donations made today through December 31 will be matched up to a total of $1,000. Please help us leverage these matching funds by making a donation today-- go to http://friendsofbethlehemparks.org/donate-and-sponsor.php to donate electronically or to print out a mail-in donation form.

Thank you for all of your assistance, participation and support!

Bethlehem is hosting its third annual First Night celebration on New Year’s Eve, Monday, December 31. Festivities will kick off at 6:30 pm with fireworks at the Four Corners, followed by family-friendly entertainment from 7 to 10 at nearby locations. Join us for an evening of music and activities for all ages. First Night buttons are available at several locations throughout town and online at Eventbrite.com. For complete details, go to https://www.townofbethlehem.org/782/First-Night-Bethlehem

Volunteers are needed at all locations – 1 ½ -hour shifts – free button. Please call 518-605-6580 or email info@friendsofbethlehemparks.org to sign up!

Net proceeds go to local programs that help our neighbors through the Bethlehem Community Fund, Bethlehem Opportunities Unlimited, Bethlehem Senior Projects and Friends of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation. Presented in partnership with the Town of Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce.

Many thanks to all of our generous sponsors!