The Catskill Chronicle

To the editor:

There’s good news for New York’s local and state economies in the recent article about the significant increase in attendance at NYS parks. Through the last weekend of August, 43.7 million people had visited state parks and historic sites in 2012 – a 2.3 million increase in visits over 2011.

And that doesn’t even include the busy Labor Day weekend when New Yorkers and tourists alike flock to places like Minnewaska State Park Preserve and the  park system’s countless lakes and swimming pools for a last taste of summer.

While great weather and big events may have contributed to the rise in visitation, another part of the story is the improvements that have been made or are underway at 48 state parks and historic sites. Upgrades and rehabilitation efforts are happening across the state thanks to Governor Cuomo’s NY Works Fund, which has supplied the largest infusion of capital funding to state parks in history. This is a smart investment; the state park system contributes nearly $2 billion in economic activity to New York’s economy and supports 20,000 jobs, not including park employees.

Let’s keep the momentum going in 2013 and beyond with another round of NY Works funding so that the nearly $1 billion backlog in health, safety, and infrastructure needs at state parks and historic sites is addressed. And let’s not forget the importance of sufficient operations funding for parks
so that New York’s treasured places can continue to be welcoming to visitors.

Robin Dropkin
Executive Director
Parks & Trails New York
29 Elk Street
Albany, NY 12207