The Summer Run Series Through the Eyes of a Beekeeper
8 Runs. 8 State Parks. One Beekeeper.
The NYS Parks Summer Run Series With a Beekeeper
Running shoes, state parks, and a beekeeper who can't stop looking at plants. Run along with The Queen Bee.
I just signed up for the 2026 NYS Parks Summer Run Series.
My husband’s mouth is on the floor.
I’m simultaneously amused by his lack of faith in me and slightly nervous myself. As the Queen Bee, I don’t particularly enjoy failing at things, and committing to an eight-race series feels a little ambitious.
Years ago—before Backyard Bees, before marriage, before children—this is exactly how I spent my summer Monday nights.
A different Long Island state park each week.
Friends.
Running shoes.
Fresh air.
A little food, a little laughter, and the simple pleasure of being outside on a summer evening.
I don’t remember how many years I participated, but it became a tradition I looked forward to every summer.
This year I’m coming back—running shoes on, Buzz Off packed, and beekeeper eyes open. Take a peek at where the series will take me this summer.
The Summer Run Plan for 2026
I’ll be running all eight races in the series.
Not for speed.
Definitely not for speed (yes, literally laughing out loud right now).
My goal is simply to show up, enjoy the parks, and see what happens when I experience these familiar places through the eyes of a beekeeper.
Long Island’s state parks are some of our greatest public treasures. Beaches, forests, meadows, lakes, salt marshes, and miles of trails connect us to the natural world right in our own backyard.
As I travel from park to park, I’m curious to see what I notice when I slow down and pay attention.
What flowers are blooming?
Which trees are feeding pollinators?
Where do honey bees thrive?
What habitats support butterflies, native bees, and other wildlife?
And what little details do most runners pass by without ever noticing?
Why?
If you’ve been following along, you know I’ve been asking a simple question lately:
How bee-friendly is my neighborhood?
That question led to my Walk With a Beekeeper series, where I’ve been exploring local roads, preserves, and public spaces through the eyes of a beekeeper.
I’ve been sharing stories from the farmers market.
I’ve been documenting what the bees are finding throughout the season.
And right now, honey season is in full swing.
The first spring honey has already been extracted, carrying the flavors of North Shore black locust, red maple, and other spring blooms. The tulip trees are flowering, and the linden trees are getting ready for their annual performance.
Meanwhile, Buzz Off is flying off the shelves.
Herbs need infusing.
Soap needs curing.
The bees, as always, have their own agenda.
In other words, life is busy.
The Real Reason
Small business owners become experts at multitasking.
So this summer I’m combining a few things I love:
- Running for my health
- Spending time outdoors for my sanity
- Exploring Long Island’s beautiful state parks
- Paying attention to the plants, trees, and pollinators around me
- And, of course, viewing it all through the eyes of a beekeeper
This series is my excuse to make time for myself while continuing to learn from the landscapes that support both bees and people.
You can expect a little running, a little beekeeping, a little natural history, and probably a few stories along the way.
If there’s a blooming linden tree, a patch of clover, a pollinator garden, or a surprise honey bee sighting, I’ll be stopping to take a closer look.
What I’ll Be Looking For
At each park I’ll be keeping an eye out for honey bee forage, blooming trees, wildflowers, water sources. Restoration projects. The unepected little things that catch a beekeeper’s attention
Like what ?
Honestly, I have no idea.
Some weeks it might be a blooming cactus.
Some weeks it might be a patch of clover tucked beside a parking lot.
Some weeks I may be too busy trying to survive Cardiac Hill to notice anything except the ground in front of me.
But I’ll be paying attention to the plants, trees, landscapes, and little details that make each park unique.
If something catches my beekeeper’s eye, you’ll hear about it here
Warning: No tailgating…I may make sudden stops.
Follow Along
I’ll be documenting each stop here throughout the summer.
So lace up your shoes, grab a water bottle, and come run with me.
Or walk.
There’s no shame in walking. It’s crossing the finish line that counts.
The Queen Bee is leaving the hive for a couple of hours every Monday night. Let’s see how it goes! 😊🐝🏃♀️
Bee well,
Kathy