North Bethlehem Park will be the site of Bethlehem’s 2018 “I Love My Park Day” on Saturday, May 5 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 are being sought to rake trails, spread wood chips on the playground, weed and plant flowers, and update the picnic area. The first 50 volunteers to register by April 18 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 fifth 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 Suday, May 6 — registrants will be notified in the event of a rain delay.

Questions? Call 518-605-6580

Directions: North Bethlehem Park is located at 564 Russell Rd, Albany, near the North Bethlehem Fire House.

Show Bethlehem parks some love — volunteer on May 5!

View the Bethlehem "I Love My Park Day" flyer.

Click here for the full brochure  

Spend the day with Friends in Boston!! Attend the Boston Flower & Garden Show. This year’s theme is “Savor Spring” -- 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 16.

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

Friends of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation (FBPR) wants your input as we develop recommendations for updating Town park dog policies. The Dogs in Bethlehem Town Parks Community Survey should take 5 minutes or less to complete, but please don't delay  -- it closes January 31..

Choose the option to provide your email address, and we’ll enter you into a random drawing for a $25 Shop Bethlehem gift card, courtesy of FBPR. (One submission per email address, please; multiple submissions will not increase your chance of winning.)

This survey is not just for dog owners — the goal is to enhance the park experience for dog owners and their dogs, while keeping our Town parks clean and safe for all park patrons.

Your responses will be anonymous unless you wish to provide your email address. Results are confidential; FBPR will aggregate and publicly report research findings, but no responses will be publicly associated with any respondent. FBPR will take results into consideration when making recommendations to the Town, however, we do not dictate Town policy, and the Bethlehem Parks and Recreation Department and Town Board are not required to abide by survey results or to follow our recommendations.

Thanks in advance for your input — see you at the parks!

Take the Survey

Bethlehem is hosting its second annual First Night celebration – a family-friendly, fun event – on New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31.  Festivities will kick off at 6:30 pm with Fireworks at the Four Corners, followed by entertainment from 7 to 10 at nearby locations.  Join us for an evening of music and family fun, including The Swing Docs, Mendelssohn Club, Big Fez & the Surfmatics, Andy the Music Man, GB-five, Heard, Michael Benedict Jazz Vibes, Playin’ With Fire Band, Jester Jim, Bounce House, DJ & Talent Show, Kids Crafts, Face Painting, and more!  First Night buttons are available at several locations throughout town and online at Eventbrite.com.  See flyer for more information.

Volunteers are needed at all locations – 2-hour shifts – free button. Please call 518-605-6580 or email info@friendsofbethlehemparks.org to sign up!

Net proceeds will go to programs that help our less fortunate 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 event sponsors!

Click here for flyer 

Friends of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation’s Year-end Giving Campaign will run from November 28, #GivingTuesday, through December 31, 2017.

• All funds raised during the 2017 campaign will be used to for programs and activities for our senior citizens.
• All donations made from November 28 through December 31 will be matched up to a total of $1,000. Please double the impact of your donation and help us leverage these funds in full.
• To make a contribution in any amount, please go to our Donate & Sponsor page to make your donation electronically or print a mail-in donation form.

Thank you for your support and generosity!