State park visits increased last year, governor says

Gov. Andrew Cuomo last August announced that fees at more than 30 campgrounds, parks, and boat launches along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River would be cut in half to encourage increased tourism in regions impacted by high water.

That announcement helped “in part” as attendance at state parks campgrounds in 2019 “surged to a record high” of 688,369 nights, a 2.4 percent increase over the previous year’s record. 

Since 2011, total overnight stays at state parks campgrounds have risen 26 percent. 

The increase at campgrounds was part of a “record breaking” 77.1 million visits to New York’s state parks, historic sites, campgrounds, and trails in 2019. 

The estimated attendance was up nearly 3 million visits from 2018, an increase of 4 percent, the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a Feb. 11 news release. 

It reflects an overall increase of 33 percent — or more than 19 million visits annually — since Cuomo took office in 2011, his office said. 

“The NY Parks 2020 initiative has revitalized our state parks and historic sites, and improved them by adding new crown jewels to the system like Shirley Chisholm Park in Brooklyn,” Cuomo said. “Tourism is booming in New York and these beautiful sites are drawing visitors to all corners of the state, offering affordable opportunities for outdoor recreation and to experience our natural treasures while providing an economic boost to local communities.”

Since 2011, the number of campgrounds increased from 65 to 68, with total campsites available rising from 8,379 to 8,555. The number of full-service cottages — which include amenities like power, kitchen, bath, beds, living room, and outdoor living space — jumped from 50 to 128, and the number of cabins rose from 791 to 830. 

Several state park golf courses also saw attendance increases, including St. Lawrence State Park Golf Course near Ogdensburg; Indian Hills Golf Course in Painted Post in Steuben County; and Soaring Eagles Golf Course at Mark Twain State Park in Horseheads. About 600,000 rounds of golf are played at state park golf courses each year.

The Governor’s NY Parks 2020 program is a “multi-year commitment to revitalize” state parks with $900 million in projects supported by state and private funding. The fiscal year 2020-21 state budget proposal includes $110 million toward this initiative. 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, and boat launches.