Memorial Day Incentive: Get Vaccine, Free Park Pass In New York

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — As the vaccination rate plummeted 55 percent across New York in a "troubling trend," Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a new incentive Monday to boost shots in arms.

Anyone who gets vaccinated with either a first dose, or single dose of Johnson & Johnson, anywhere in New York between May 24 and 31, is eligible to receive a free two-day pass to any New York state park. The passes are valid all summer through Sept. 30, Cuomo said during a coronavirus briefing Monday at Jones Beach.

As part of the outreach effort — dubbed "A Shot In the Park" — pop-up sites will be set up at 16 New York state parks over Memorial Day weekend, including at Lake Welch in Harriman State Park in Rockland County and FDR State Park in Westchester County. Anyone who is vaccinated at those sites will get the park pass.

• Belmont Lake State Park: May 30th
• Buffalo Harbor State Park: May 29th - May 31st
• Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park: May 29th - May 31st
• FDR State Park: May 29th - May 31st
• Grafton Lakes State Park: May 29th - May 31st
• Green Lakes State Park: May 29th - May 31st
• Harriman State Park at Lake Welch: May 29th - May 31st
• Heckscher State Park: June 5th
• Hempstead Lake State Park: June 6th
• Letchworth State Park: May 29th - May 30st
• Robert Moses State Park: May 29th - May 30th
• Roberto Clemente State Park: May 29th - May 31st
• Sunken Meadow State Park: May 29th, May 31st
• Taughannock Falls State Park: May 29th - May 31st
• Westcott Beach State Park: May 29th - May 30st

Already been vaccinated? A visitor can show confirmation of their eligible vaccination at any of New York's 181 state parks to receive the 2-day pass. Passes can be used for parking and beach and pool privileges throughout the state's parks network, which includes 67 beaches and 35 pool and splash pads. Learn more about the New York State Park system here.

The incentive is meant to combat plummeting vaccination rates, Cuomo said. It follows others, including free lottery tickets, free train rides and free tickets, as well seating without social distancing at some ball games.

As of Monday, 64 percent of New Yorkers now have at least one vaccination, Cuomo said. Others need to follow suit. Vaccination rates have dropped below 100,000 per day, he said.

New York's statewide coronavirus positivity rate was at 1.09 percent Sunday. The positivity rate in the Hudson Valley was 0.7 percent. Still, 14 people died of COVID-19 and the pandemic continues around the world, he said.

"It's not over," Cuomo said. "We are managing it by what we are doing, and the tool is the vaccination."