Watkins' state park visitors up 15.5 percent

Watkins' state park visitors up 15.5 percent

    WATKINS GLEN—Attendance at Watkins Glen State Park is up 15.5 percent for the first eight months of 2012, compared to the same time period of last year.
    The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation released the data Aug. 29. The numbers are of total visitors for Jan. 1, 2012, to Aug. 28, 2012, compared to the total visitors of Jan. 1, 2011, to Aug. 28, 2011. According to the state, the Watkins Glen park had 440,513 people visit so far this year. Last year, attendance was 381,218.
    Statewide, the department said 5.6 percent more people have visited state parks. The park system expected a busy Labor Day weekend, with over 90 percent of the system’s campsites booked in advance and one last opportunity to enjoy swimming pools and beaches.
    Ron Rooney, Watkins park manager, said he can attribute several reasons to the increase. The first and foremost is because of the waterfalls. While the 19 falls within the park are normally a draw, Rooney said they are particularly attracting visitors because of the hot summer. He explained other waterfalls in the area were brought to a trickle because of the drought like weather.
    “The 19 waterfalls never stop flowing,” he said. “We get a lot of calls asking ‘are the waterfalls still flowing?’”
    Rooney added the park is a weather-based business. He said the two pools are obviously another draw. He said, “the extreme weather draws people here.” Rooney added the park just added 10 cabins, the first ones in the Watkins location.
    “We’ve never had this before,” he said.
    Another reason Rooney gave for the increase is the surge in tour buses through the area. He explained all events in the village are well attended, which means more people visit the park. This includes Watkins Glen International, which is “right up the hill.”
    “We’re pretty much partners,” he said. Addressing use of buses in general, Rooney said Watkins Glen is a natural stop for bus travel between New York City and Niagara Falls.
    While the park is open year-round, camping only lasts from mid-May to mid-October. For more, visit: http://nysparks.com/parks/142/details.aspx.