In 1944, the New York State Council of Parks approved the initial acquisition of land for Verona Beach State Park.[3] By 1962, 59 lots comprising 1,355 acres (5 km2) had been purchased at a cost of $276,300. The final acres, purchased in 1969–70, increased the park's size to 1,735 acres (7 km2) for a total cost of $288,888 or roughly $166 per acre.[citation needed]