Despite high gas prices and surveys that showed many people would spend the Independence Day holiday closer to home, attendance in Niagara Falls State Park was up 24 percent from a year ago.
Officials said Tuesday that 227,199 visitors were counted in Prospect Park and on Goat Island, up from the 182,990 in 2007.
Throughout the 17 parks that comprise the Niagara Region, attendance spiked 22 percent over the same period last year.
“With the soaring gas prices and a struggling economy, New York families are looking for close-to-home places to get outside and get away from the daily stresses of life,” said State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash. “We’re happy that state parks provide inexpensive places for so many families to camp, picnic, swim and connect their children to nature.”
The commissioner said that across the state the parks system hosted 1,522,131 patrons over the three-day holiday and 679,996 persons on Independence Day alone. It was the fourth busiest holiday for the parks system in the past 26 years.
Earlier, Angela Berti, the marketing and event coordinator for the regional parks, said the camping sites in the Niagara Region, including Evangola, Four Mile Creek and Golden Hill, were booked solid for the long weekend.
Closer to the falls, Gay Molnar, director of development for the Aquarium of Niagara told the city Tourism Advisory Board Monday night the Whirlpool Street attraction experienced a sharp increase in visitors for the holiday, compared with a year ago.
Local News
TOURISM: A happy holiday for state parks
Attendance up 24 percent at Niagara Falls State Park
- Local News
-
-
Child run over be car on Niagara Avenue
Falls Traffic Division investigators said an 11-year-old boy was struck after he darted into the street, in front of a car as it pulled away from a stop sign.
-
Militello paid $50K to leave Niagara-Wheatfield
Former Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Carl Militello is receiving a $50,000 from the district, according to a separation settlement agreed to on Feb. 1.
-
Autopsy unable to determine cause or time of Judith Burr’s death
An autopsy by an Erie County Medical Examiner has failed to determine either the time of death or the cause of death of Judith Burr.
-
Gerber resigns from SPCA board; calls for adding veterinarian to staff
A Town of Niagara veterinarian and long-time member of the SPCA of Niagara Board of Directors has stepped down.
Dr. William Gerber submitted his resignation on Tuesday. It was effective immediately. -
Has NYPA relicensing agreement led to a revival?
A state senator is calling for an audit of the low-cost power and cash used in the last seven years by Niagara County entities that have shared in the benefits of the 50-year relicensing agreement with the New York Power Authority.
-
Joseph Davis State Park gets some green
Officials in the Town of Lewiston received approval Thursday to spend a significant portion of the community’s incoming greenway funds on the redevelopment of Joseph Davis State Park.
-
Search continues for Falls jumper
State Park Police were still searching Thursday for a Falls man who jumped from the rapids bridge at Goat Island on Wednesday morning.
-
NU gets helping hand for campus projects
A new county entity formed to help organizations secure bond financing agreed on Wednesday to assist Niagara University in the development of its new science center, a proposed refurbishment at Meade Hall and other campus improvements totaling $48 million.
-
One Niagara tax break denied
It’s a no-go for a proposed tax break at One Niagara.
At least for now. -
County IDA adds local hiring clause
From now on, applicants seeking assistance through the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency will be expected to demonstrate their “best efforts” in hiring local workers for subsidized projects.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
