Saturday was I Love My Park Day.

It’s the 11th annual state-wide effort to clean up, to improve and beautify New York's parks.

The effort is hosted by the Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Parks.

It welcomes volunteers ready to plant trees, restore trails and remove invasive species.

There were plenty of opportunities to get involved in bettering Central New York, with events scheduled at more than 15 different locations.

"We're out here sprucing everything up so all through the year everyone else can come out here and see how beautiful it really is," Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) said. "Green Lakes is one of the gems of Central New York."

The public was encouraged to practice and use "leave no trace" principles, such as disposing of waste properly and respecting wildlife.

"It's just a great day for everyone to get outside, to unplug, and to be in nature for a little while," Ben Morse, park manager of Green Lake State Park, said.