More people than ever are enjoying New York state’s parks, which saw a record-breaking 88 million visitors last year, boosted, in part, by the eclipse and the parks’ centennial celebration. So what's in store for 2025?

Record-breaking attendance for 12 straight years and counting: State Parks Commissioner Randy Simons says New York’s parks are as popular as ever.

“People are looking at their parks in a much different way," he said. "It used to be, and it still is, build memories, spend time with the families. But now, people are making that connection that this is aiding in my physical mental wellness, especially in a digitally connected world.”

That growth has been sustained mostly by the state’s continued investment in its green spaces and recreation centers. But also a renewed desire to enjoy the outdoors that started at the height of the pandemic. It brought people out and has kept them out.

“This is why we are getting historic investment into our parks, because we remain affordable," Simons said. "And when we are affordable, you have to do even more so to kind of, maintain that edge.”

That desire to disconnect and be in nature is part of Gov. Kathy Hochul's larger plan “Unplug and play” initiative. The push will see more grants available for community centers and further investment in playgrounds, state parks and swimming infrastructure.

“That gets back into, let's start connecting with each other," Simons said. "Let's connect with each other at our core level, face-to-face interaction and not on a digital device.”

Simons said they’ve seen more families visiting the state parks in recent years. It's a trend they will look to keep going, breaking more records as they try to continue to make parks affordable, accessible and enjoyable.

“Now, we're able to look at the suite, or the complex, of a park and how it connects that trail, connects to the beach, connects to the programing at the nature center, connects to the campground where many people are staying," he said. "So it's looking at the way we are building and modernizing our facilities for today's user, but also, you know, the user in 50 years.”