"You don't know what you've got until it's gone."

This is a sentiment that unfortunately applies to many environmental treasures, but seems to have been taken to heart by many New Yorkers and visitors after 55 state parks and historic sites were temporarily closed by the state this spring. 

According to the Poughkeepsie Journal, attendance at state parks and historic sites climbed 11 percent, or by 1.3 million visitors, between April and June this year, after the $11 million budget gap which precipitated the closures, was remedied.

Lake Welch Beach in Harriman State Park saw one of the sharpest jumps in visitors.The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation reported that nearly 13.3 million people visited New York's 178 state parks and 35 historic sites, up from about 12 million during the same time last year.

"New Yorkers love their state parks and strongly connect with the variety of experiences and adventures these special places provide," State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash said.

Parks with notable jumps in attendance include Lake Welch Beach in Rockland County, which went up nearly 150 percent to 87,000 people, and Bear Mountain State Park in the Hudson Valley which was up 131 percent, with 452,000 visitors.