State Parks Announces Holiday Attendance Numbers

ALBANY, NY (09/07/2007)(readMedia)-- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash said today announced that attendance at state parks and historic sites for the Labor Day weekend was up by 72 percent (690,000 visitors) from last year for a total of 1,653,000 visitors. Visitation also increased during the entire peak summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day) by 8 percent (2.4 million visitors) over last year.

“Across New York, increasing numbers of families and friends gathered at our parks and historic sites during the warm summer months to enjoy recreational activities and to experience the diverse natural resources throughout the state,” said Ash. “As the autumn season approaches and brings cooler weather and vibrant foliage, I encourage New Yorkers to make plans to enjoy great outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking and trail running, camping and fishing.”

According to Ash, attendance over the Labor Day weekend increased in each of the State Parks eleven regions. The New York City region experienced a dramatic increase of 220 percent over 2006, welcoming more than 143,800 visitors to the parks. The Finger Lakes region had substantial increases as well which resulted in an increase of 56,000 visitors or 123 percent over last year. Parks and historic sites in the Taconic region saw more than 71,800 visitors over the holiday weekend, a 135 percent increase from the previous year.

Ash added that parks across the state have many events and activities scheduled for the fall season, “from fishing derbies to autumn festivals and craft shows, our state parks and nature centers offer a diverse array of outdoor and educational activities for visitors to enjoy throughout the year.”

Additionally, occupancy at State Parks campgrounds and cabins for the Labor Day weekend totaled 87 percent versus 72 percent last year. According to Ash, over half a million people camped in New York State parks this year, an increase of more 70,000 over last year. The average camping trip lasted four days, and reservations at New York State park campgrounds increased by more than 10,000 this year.

Ash noted that many parks remain open for camping through mid-October, and encourages campers to contact the park for specific hours of operation.

State Parks oversees 67 campgrounds with more than 8,000 campsites, 800 cabins and 41 vacation rentals. Camping reservations 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 by calling toll free 1-800-456-CAMP or online, www.ReserveAmerica.com Campers are reminded not to bring their own firewood and to use only firewood from local sources.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 178 state parks, 35 historic sites, 29 golf courses and 77 developed beaches. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com.

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Labor Day Holiday Weekend: For the three day period Saturday, September 1; Sunday September 2; and Monday, September 3, 2007 vs. Saturday, September 2; Sunday, September 3; and Monday, September 4, 2006

Park Region 2007 2006 Change Percent Western New York

Allegany 54,356 31,625 22,731 71.9% Niagara 471,682 358,718 112,964 31.5% Genesee 40,590 22,472 18,118 80.6% Central NY / Finger Lakes

Finger Lakes 101,580 45,469 56,111 123.4% Central 57,235 28,730 28,505 99.2% Thousand Islands 48,843 25,731 21,112 82.0% Eastern NY / Hudson Valley

Saratoga/Capital District 57,866 25,379 32,487 128.0% Taconic 71,801 30,582 41,219 134.8% Palisades 100,807 68,054 32,753 48.1% New York City / Long Island

New York City 143,866 44,980 98,886 219.8% Long Island 506,551 281,517 225,034 79.9%