Did you go camping in any of New York's State Parks last year? How about hiking, swimming, leisurely walking, or just stopping by for a quick visit? If you and your family and friends visited any of New York’s State Parks in 2016, you helped make it one of the busiest years in quite a while.

According to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, nearly 70 million visitors spent time at New York’s state parks, historic sites, and campgrounds in 2016. A 6% increase over 2015 and the biggest year in more than five years, and after the Governor’s plan to improve and promote New York’s State Parks with $900 million in both private and public funding from 2011 to 2020, it’s an investment that seems to already be paying off.

Major improvements in beaches and swimming areas, free park entry for fourth graders through the Connect Kids to Parks program, the extended swimming season after labor day, and record overnight camping at the parks all contributed to a big year in attendance.

There's more improvements on the way, including the Empire State Trail.

If you didn't visit any of New York's state parks, historic sites, and campgrounds in 2016, make 2017 your year. You won't regret it.

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