Long Island, NY - December 1, 2016 - New York State Parks announced it is building the first vacation cabins and cottages at State Parks on Long Island. The new vacation cabins and cottages will provide high quality, affordable accommodations at Wildwood State Park on the Long Island Sound and Heckscher State Park on the Great South Bay.

"These new cabins and cottages offer more choices to enjoy a unique experience in our Long Island State Parks," State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. "High quality overnight lodging will provide visitors with a hub to visit the region's beaches, wineries, and cultural destinations – and help to continue to grow Long Island tourism economy."

Ten cabins at Wildwood will feature both one- and two-bedroom units, as well as a bathroom, kitchenette, screened outdoor porch and furnishings. Construction on the Wildwood State Park cabins is expected to begin in the spring, and be complete for the 2018 season. State Parks is also designing full-service cottages overlooking the shore of the Great South Bay in Heckscher State Park, with construction expected to begin in 2018. When complete, the facilities will be available for public rental Spring through Fall each year.

"The new cabins are among many new improvements taking place across the New York State Park system – thanks to Governor Cuomo's leadership," Commissioner Harvey said. "Cabins and cottages have long been a popular offering at our Parks statewide, but they have never before been available on Long Island. We expect these cabins and cottages to dramatically enhance the appeal of Wildwood and Heckscher State Parks to vacationers looking to experience all that Long Island has to offer."

The $6 million project is funded by Governor Cuomo's NY Parks 2020 initiative. NY Parks 2020 is a multi-year commitment to leverage $900 million in private and public funding for State Parks from 2011 to 2020. The 2016-17 state budget includes $90 million toward this initiative.

For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.