Press Release
February 15, 2018
New York State Announces Record-Breaking 71 Million Visit State Parks in 2017
More Than 700 Improvement Projects Since Inception of NY Parks 2020 Initiative
"State Parks energize our local economies by inviting visitors from all over to explore the history, beauty and great outdoors found in communities across New York," Governor Cuomo said. "We have modernized the oldest state park system in the nation by making strategic investments that help entice more and more visitors to this great state to make memories with family and friends, while experiencing the natural beauty found in every New York community."
Despite inclement weather over the traditionally busy summer months, New York State Parks saw an increase from 70.6 million to 71.5 million in 2017. Since the inception of the Governor's NY Parks 2020 program, more than 700 improvement projects have been completed or are underway. In 2017, some of the Governor's initiatives that supported the increase in state park visitation included trail improvements, new and improved playgrounds, thousands of acres of new parkland, the opening of Hallock State Park on Long Island, the transformation at Buffalo Harbor State Park, and the introduction of the new family sharing Empire Pass.
In 2018, visitors can expect even more improvements and additions at state parks, including the completion of the $70 million transformation at Niagara Falls State Park and the debut of the Watkins Glen State Park entrance transformation in the Southern Tier. In addition, several park attractions will open, including the Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn, Boardwalk Café at Jones Beach State Park, new gateway at Walkway Over the Hudson, the Grafton State Park Center, Environmental Education Center at Green Lakes State Park, swim bathhouse at Fort Niagara State Park, reopening of the Peerless Pool Complex at Saratoga Spa State Park, and the start of a $35 million transformation at Hempstead Lake State Park on Long Island.
Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, said, "Governor Cuomo's historic and visionary NY Parks 2020 initiative is transforming our state parks, promoting healthy, active outdoor recreation, connecting people with parks, rejuvenating our world class park system, preserving our history, sustaining our natural environment and invigorating communities across the state."
Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York is making an historic commitment to improving and expanding access to outdoor recreation. The Governor's NY Parks 2020 program is a multi-year commitment to leverage $900 million in private and public funding for State Parks from 2011 to 2020. The FY 2019 Executive Budget includes $90 million toward this initiative. In addition, the Governor proposed completing the Hudson River Valley Greenway and Erie Canalway trails by 2020 to create the Empire State Trail, the largest state multi-use trail in the nation. The state will develop 350 miles of new trail in three phases to create a 750-mile pathway for hiking and biking along scenic vistas and through historic communities.