The weather is officially starting to feel a little more like spring as we dive deeper into April. Soon before we know it, Memorial Day will roll around and those long cherished memories of spending time together with family and friends at the state parks and beaches will come alive once more!

Governor Cuomo announced today that all Long Island state parks and beaches are expected to open by Memorial Day weekend.

Many of the parks and beaches suffered damage from Superstorm Sandy requiring repair and reconstruction. Parks faced extensive damage to roads, landscaping and infrastructure. Many of the beaches suffered from erosion, including loss of natural and native vegetation.

As much as local Long Islanders utilize the parks and beaches, vacationers from afar also travel to Long Island to enjoy it. The parks and beaches are economic drivers for the local community, according to a statement from Governor Cuomo in a news release.

Last year, more than 18 million people visited the state parks and beaches on Long Island. Some of the top Long Island destinations included Jones Beach State Park, Robert Moses State Park, Sunken Meadow State Park and Heckscher State Park.

In a news release issued by the Governor’s press office, it offered a list of some of the most popular state parks and beaches on Long Island expected to be open by Memorial Day weekend. Some may still have ongoing construction in certain areas. The list includes:

• Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park
• Belmont Lake State Park
• Bethpage State Park
• Brentwood State Park
• Caleb Smith State Park Preserve
• Captree State Park
• Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve
• Connetquot River State Park Preserve
• Gilgo and Tobay Beaches
• Heckscher State Park
• Hempstead Lake State Park
• Jones Beach State Park
• Orient Beach State Park
• Nissequogue River State Park
• Planting Fields State Historic Park
• Robert Moses State Park 
• Governor Alfred E.Smith/Sunken Meadow State Park
• Valley Stream State Park
• Wildwood State Park