As part of the New York State Parks centennial celebration, the Open Space Institute (OSI) commissioned a survey of visitors at 22 state parks during the summer of 2023 to assess visitor demographics, recreation trends, and experiences.
Insights shared by more than 2,600 visitors reveal that state parks are important to New Yorkers and contribute to a high quality of life. The report identifies key recommendations based on the responses to the visitor survey, including:
• Increase capital and operational investment at state parks. Visitors voiced appreciation for recent state park improvements but also called for more to be done. Survey respondents reported the need for new and improved amenities such as bathrooms, signage and maps, roads, and parking areas, as well as better access to information about public events and programs at state parks.
• Expand services and amenities to better engage and welcome diverse communities in state parks. Survey results revealed that state parks attract visitors of many different backgrounds and identities. However, certain communities are underrepresented in the state park visitorship, including people with disabilities, the Hispanic and Latino community, and LGBTQ+ individuals. While the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) has taken steps to make state parks more welcoming to all, additional resources, such as new or improved public transportation options and targeted community outreach and engagement, are required. These measures would facilitate greater access for underrepresented and marginalized communities, providing them with equitable opportunities to benefit from the resources that state parks provide.
• Accelerate land acquisition, state park creation, and innovative state park development projects to accommodate a growing constituency of visitors and protect important open spaces. State parks are vital community spaces that make New York a desirable place to live, work, and play. Many visitors expressed the importance of protecting open space for public use and enjoyment. To prepare for the next century and respond to the public’s increasing appetite for open space and park resources, New York State should commit additional resources to land acquisition and park development to revitalize existing state parks, expand the state park system’s reach, and prioritize protection of natural and cultural resources.
• Expand programs and amenities that improve access to nature for children and families. Many visitors believe that state parks provide safe, accessible spaces for children and youth to play, learn, and socialize. Research shows alarming trends in the overuse of technology and digital media, which can have negative impacts on children’s physical, behavioral, and emotional well-being, including obesity, behavioral issues, delays in learning and social skill development, sleep disruption, and exploitation. Access to the outdoors and nature-based programs can help children build healthy lifestyles, develop lifelong connections to the outdoors, and become the next generation of environmental stewards.
You can read the full report here.
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