8.3 Million People Visited Jones Beach State Park In 2020

WANTAGH, NY — Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh saw 8.3 million visitors in 2020 — a jump by about 150,000 from roughly 8.1 million visitors in 2019, according to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.

The jump in attendance was part of an overall record-setter for the state as 78 million people visited its parks, historic sites, campgrounds, and trails, according to the state’s figures released on Tuesday. That increase was driven by what state officials described as an unprecedented visitation in the spring and fall, as people turned to recreation to escape the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jones Beach State Park was one of several state parks last year to see continued improvements, including the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center and a revitalized West Games area, which were undertaken as part of Cuomo’s NY Parks 2020 Plan which was aimed at promoting outdoor recreation for families and visitors.

State officials did note that visitation was curtailed over the summer as facilities operated with reduced capacity limits promoting social distancing, officials said. Attendance at some of the park system's most popular destinations was also affected by the limits on out-of-state and international visitors; cancelation of large concerts, festivals and events; and public messages urging people to recreate locally, according to a news release.

Cuomo said that in 2020 the state parks became “an even more critical resource than before” as residents sought “safe places for solace, exercise and relief from the pandemic.”

"New York remains fully committed to the continued modernization of our parks system, and with the recent completion of the 750-mile Empire State Trail, we are ensuring New Yorkers and visitors alike, have unparalleled recreational opportunities, especially during these unprecedented times,” he said.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said that as state officials reimagine “the post-pandemic future,” they will continue to improve the park system “to not only provide more recreational opportunities for New Yorkers, but also boost our local downtowns and regional tourism economies across the State."

Over the next four years the state plans to invest roughly $440 million in NY Parks 100, which will launch later this year. The initiative will continue crucial investments in park infrastructure while enhancing opportunities to reach the full range of New York State's recreational and cultural offerings, including local parks and trails, regional flagship parks and historic sites, and vast wilderness parks. It will focus on “creating places” to recreate locally and relieve overcrowded parks.