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Gov. Cuomo: millions more people are heading out to New York's state parks

Posted at 1:03 AM, Mar 05, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-05 01:03:18-05

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the number of visitors to New York state parks, historic sites and campgrounds topped 74 million in 2018.

The Democrat announced Monday that visitation increased by 4 percent, from 71.5 million in 2018 to a record-breaking 74.1 million last year.

The increase comes as the state continues the governor's Parks 2020 initiative to upgrade the state's system of more than 200 parks, historic sites and campgrounds.

State officials say last year's boost in visitors was helped by major improvements at Jones State Park on Long Island, Watkins Glen State Park in the Finger Lakes region and Green Lakes State Park in central New York.

Improvements are planned this year at the Walkway Over the Hudson and the trail along the Niagara Gorge.