A gorgeous set of stone steps at Sam’s Point Preserve in Cragsmoor, part of the Minnewaska State Park Preserve, have been made to look brand new again – if, by brand new, you mean looking fresh from the 19th Century.

Park Manager Hank Alicandri says getting the Lenape steps restored, a $30,000 project funded by the Palisades Interstate Parks Commission, was a huge deal for the park.

“The Shawangunks have always been a really popular place, and there’s always many, many more people coming to visit on weekends and holidays, between May and October, than we’re able to accommodate," Alicandri said.

New York State parks will see more projects like this. In this year’s budget, park funding was increased by more than 80%, following a record year for park visitation.

Alicandri said the park is flooded with visitors, largely thanks to people seeking outdoor options because of COVID-19. Before the pandemic, they’d have to turn away about 200 cars per day due to the limited capacity of their parking lot. Last summer, it was more like 800.

And while it's easy to see why so many would make the trek to Sam’s Point, there’s a downside to the wild side. As it turns out, success is also causing a bit of a mess.

Alicandri said overcrowding is creating erosion, littering and general congestion. But by getting guests to plan their visits ahead of time through a new reservation system, staff can keep up with the crowds and the parks can keep looking pristine.

“We’re starting to get a lot of impact on our trails, basically from too many visitors," Alicandri said. "People [are] loving the park to death.”

The new pilot reservation system is something that staff is hoping will keep people coming in and out without overwhelming the space.