Attendance at New York’s state parks, historic sites, campgrounds and trails reached what Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration said was a record-setting 79.5 million visits last year, up by more than a million from a year earlier.

Since moving to Fort Montgomery in 2014, Bear Mountain State Park, in the lower Hudson Valley, has practically become Igor Berent’s backyard.

“It's so important for health issues to walk around trying to lose weight, and there are just like relationships, family relationships; friends meet here,” Berent said.

“A lot of people come from all over the place. I see all United States plates here. Sometimes, it’s so busy.”

From infrastructure to activities, Bear Mountain State Park Manager Jen Sylvestri, who has been working for state parks since she was in college in 2009, said a rise in the number of visitors means more reinvestment in the space.

“It's extremely gratifying to know that we’re the stewards of a place that offers that same experience to so many other people. We create and maintain this beautiful place to keep it for other people to come and enjoy,” Sylvestri said. “Just seeing our patrons come and enjoy it in the summer, seeing kids having fun in the pool, going out hiking … that experience is so rewarding. It keeps you happy here all day.”

Niagara Falls, Jones Beach, Robert Moses, Saratoga Spa, Sunken Meadow, Denny Farrell Riverbank and Bear Mountain were among the most visited state parks last year. State tourism officials said annual attendance at New York state parks is now five times higher than Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Yosemite combined.

But with more people comes the possibility for more problems. Garbage and litter are among the biggest.

People like Berent are working to keep the parks in top shape, so his grandchildren and future generations can take in all their offerings.

“I’m so proud. In a conversation, when I say I am from Bear Mountain area, everybody says, ‘wow, you know, it's cool, cool to live here.’ Best place,” Berent said.

The governor’s fiscal year 2024 budget proposal dedicates $200 million in capital funding to continue transforming parks, supporting infrastructure projects and working toward a goal of powering park facilities with renewable energy by 2030.