Allegany State Park

ALBANY – Attendance at New York State Park campgrounds is on pace for another record-setting year. That’s according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who’s reminding New Yorkers that many of the state’s finest camping facilities are open for fall camping well into the fall.

Through August 17, New York State Park campgrounds are on pace for the busiest year on record. Visitors have reserved more than 562,000 overnight stays at State Park campgrounds so far, marking a 5.2 percent increase over 2014. The record set last year was 594,441 overnight stays.

Reservations are accepted for campsites and cabins, from one day to nine months in advance of the planned arrival date. Visit newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com or call toll free 1-800-456-CAMP.

Locally, the last night of camping availability in 2015 is Oct. 11 for Lake Erie State Park in Portland and December 1 for Allegany State Park in Cattaraugus County.

On Friday morning, it was reported that human remains had been found in Lake Erie State Park. Later in the day, troopers confirmed that a fetus had been and that it was approximately 18 to 20 weeks old when separated from its mother, which would have happened about two weeks prior to the discovery. They also said that it was unlikely it could have survived.

Investigators have not ruled out foul play to the fetus or its mother, though there’s been no sign of her body. They say other possibilities include the mother miscarried or ended the pregnancy and disposed of the fetus.

Investigators do have a DNA sample and are asking for the public’s help to search for its mother. There’s no word yet if any charges will be filed.