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Albany,
NY – November 2021 / Newsmaker Alert / Governor Kathy Hochul has
announced that overnight reservations at campgrounds operated by the
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation (State Parks) and the New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) climbed to
record highs this year as visitors embraced safe, healthy, and affordable
recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through
Columbus Day, campsites, cabins, cottages, and yurts at State Parks campgrounds
were occupied for 787,103 nights, surpassing the previous 2019 record of
684,820 nights by 15 percent. DEC campgrounds were occupied for 394,401
nights, surpassing the previous 2016 record of 354,521 nights by more than
10 percent.
“The
numbers don’t lie - people have shown how much they appreciate all that
our State campgrounds have to offer, especially as the pandemic made outdoor
recreation more desirable than ever,” Governor Hochul said. “Not only are
our campgrounds, affordable, clean, and safe, but with these sites being
so vital to New York’s tourism economy, my administration will continue
to do all we can to ensure New York remains a top destination for campers.”
Over
the last decade, as improvements were being made statewide under the NY
Parks 2020 capital program, total overnight stays at State Parks
campgrounds have risen nearly 45 percent.
State
Parks operates 68 State Parks campgrounds, featuring 8,179 campsites, 825
cabins, 18 yurts, and 136 full-service cottages with amenities like power,
kitchen, bath, beds, living room, and outdoor living space.
State
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Erik
Kulleseid said, “It is gratifying that the public has again given State
Parks a vote of confidence. Providing places for safe and healthy recreation
has been critical as we continue to emerge from the pandemic, and people
obviously enjoy the many improvements made under the NY Parks 2020 initiative.
People have many choices today on how to spend their recreational time,
and we are grateful that so many are choosing to spend it at our Parks.
We intend to keep this progress going.”
DEC
operates 52 campgrounds and five day-use areas in the Adirondack and Catskill
forest preserves that provide a wide variety of experiences, including
island camping, tent and trailer camping, boat launching facilities, hiking
trails, beaches and day use areas with picnic tables and grills. The camping
season runs through the summer, with some facilities remaining open during
fall foliage and hunting season. Under the Adventure
NY (note: PDF file) and other initiatives, DEC continues to make
improvements at DEC camping facilities, including
several for the 2021 season to provide new showers and comfort
stations, power and water systems, and equestrian-specific improvements
at the Frontier Town campground.
DEC
Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “When New Yorkers were eager to get outside
safely during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they knew exactly where to
go. New York State is home to a wide variety of campground destinations
that everyone can enjoy. I’m encouraged by the record number of visitors
this year and look forward to their return to take advantage of the opportunities
New York’s Adirondack and Catskill parks have to offer.”
In
2021, New York State rolled out a new Loyalty/Reward program for campers
where they earn points for every dollar spent on overnight accommodations
at all state-owned and -operated campgrounds for both State Parks and the
Department of Environmental Conservation. More than 55,800 people have
enrolled so far. Campers can start earning points on new reservations as
soon as they are enrolled.For more information about the program and to
register, visit NewYorkStateParks.reserveamerica.com.
Nights
Booked at State Parks Campgrounds By Year:
2011
– 541,771
2012
– 578,428
2013
– 583,016
2014
– 594,441
2015
– 623,991
2016
– 650,857
2017
– 648,420
2018
– 663,953
2019
– 684,820
2020
– 597,188*
2021
– 787,103**
Nights
Booked at DEC Campgrounds by Year:
2011
– 311,227
2012
– 333,334
2013
– 323,711
2014
– 326,363
2015
– 346,524
2016
– 354,521
2017
– 347,893
2018
– 349,630
2019
– 352,234
2020
– 284,275*
2021
– 394,401
*Parks
campgrounds closed in April, May and beginning of June due to COVID restrictions
**
Through October 27th with pending reservations made through December
State
Senator Jose Serrano said, “I’m thrilled that more New Yorkers and visitors
are discovering our state’s campgrounds as they seek safe and affordable
recreation options during the COVID-19 pandemic. The record growth in campground
reservations shows that we are succeeding in connecting more communities
to parks, fostering an appreciation for New York’s incredible natural beauty
and the physical and emotional health benefits of the outdoors. I commend
Governor Hochul, Commissioner Kulleseid, and Commissioner Seggos for their
commitment to ensuring all New Yorkers can enjoy the natural wonders of
our great state.”
Assembly
Member Steve Englebright said, “This is great news, and proof that New
York State’s continuing investment in establishing an expansive state park
system is well worth the effort. There is nothing better to center your
life than visiting or camping overnight in one of our many state parks.
Our State’s investment in our parks system is money well spent and our
state parks are something we can bequeath to future generations.”
Assembly
Member Daniel O’Donnell said, “As the Chair of the Assembly Committee on
Tourism, Arts, Parks, and Sports Development, I am so pleased to see record
levels of camping attendance at our parks. New York is home to over 180
parks and 35 historic sites, each of which contribute to community development,
economic growth, and personal health. Increased attendance also speaks
to a fact we have long known: parks are essential landscapes in New York.
I’m grateful to have a champion of parks in Governor Hochul, and I look
forward to working with my colleagues to ensure more New Yorkers have access
to park facilities.”
Reservations
for State Park campgrounds are available through ReserveAmerica,
which provides online and phone reservations for campsites throughout New
York. Reservations are accepted for campsites and cabins, from one day
to nine months in advance of the planned arrival date. Visit the website
or call toll free 1-800-456-CAMP.
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New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees
more than 250 individual parks, historic sites, recreational trails and
boat launches, which were visited by a record 77 million people in 2019.
A recent university study found that spending by State Parks and its visitors
supports $5 billion in output and sales, 54,000 private-sector jobs and
more than $2.8 billion in additional state GDP. For more information on
any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit NYS
Parks website, connect with us on Facebook,
or follow on Instagram
and Twitter. The free New
York State Parks Explorer mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices.
To download, visit: Google
Play Store, NY State Parks Explorer App or Apple
Store, NY State Parks Explorer App.
To
improve public safety and encourage visitors to State-owned lands to practice
responsible recreation, this spring DEC launched the ‘Love
Our New York Lands’ campaign. The campaign is responsive to the steady
increase in the number of visitors to state lands, both during the COVID-19
pandemic and in the decade prior, as more and more New Yorkers and visitors
from other states and countries discovered the natural beauty of New York
State lands. For details and more information, visit
the Love Our New York Lands webpage.
Source
Document
Media
Contact:
Dan
Keefe | Brian Nearing
518-486-1868
news@parks.ny.gov |