Update 5/15/10 – Several local parks won’t open this season
I heard this morning about some potential local park closures. Well, it’s now confirmed. Two in my neighborhood are on the list:
Point au Roche and Macomb Reservation State Park.
Dammit !!!
The Entire List of Recommended New York State Parks Closures:
Long Island
- Brookhaven State Park (Suffolk)–Close Park
- Bethpage State Park (Suffolk)–Eliminate Winter Sports; Reduce picnic area and polo field
- Caleb Smith State Park Preserve (Suffolk)–Close Park
- Cold Spring Harbor State Park (Suffolk)–Close Park
- Connetquot River State Park (Suffolk)–Close Weekdays
- Heckscher State Park (Suffolk)–Close Swimming Pool
- Jones Beach State Park (Nassau)–Close West Swimming Pool; Eliminate July 4th fireworks
- Montauk Downs State Park (Suffolk)–Close Swimming Pool
- Nissequogue River State Park (Suffolk)–Close Park
- Orient Beach State Park (Suffolk)–Close Park
- Trail View State Park (Suffolk)–Close Park
New York City Region
- Bayswater Point State Park (Queens)–Close Park
- Riverbank State Park (New York)–Reduce Operating Hours; Close Outdoor Swimming Pool; Eliminate Seniors Classes, and Community/Cultural Events
Palisades Region
- Fort Montgomery Historic Site (Orange)–Close Historic Site
- Harriman SP– Anthony Wayne (Orange)–Close Park Area
- Harriman SP – Group Camps (Orange)–Reduce Maintenance
- High Tor State Park (Rockland)–Close Pool
- Knox Headquarters Historic Site (Orange)–Close Historic Site
- New Windsor Cantonment SHS (Orange)– Close Historic Site
- Schunnemunk State Park (Orange)– Close Park
- Stony Point State Historic Site (Orange)–Close Historic Site
- Tallman Mountain State Park (Rockland)–Close Pool
Taconic Region
- Donald J. Trump State Park (Westchester)–Close Park
- FDR (Roosevelt) State Park (Westchester)–Reduce Swimming Pool Season
- Hudson Highlands State Park (Putnam)–Close Arden Point Area
- James Baird State Park (Dutchess)–Reduce Golf Course Season
- Mills Norrie State Park (Dutchess)–Reduce Golf Course Season
- Olana State Historic Site (Columbia)–Close 2 Days per Week
- Philipse Manor Hall Historic Site (Westchester)–Close Historic Site
- Rockefeller State Park Preserve (Westchester)–Eliminate Interpretive Programs
- Taconic Outdoor Education Center (Putnam)–Eliminate Interpretive Programs
- Taconic State Park – Rudd Pond (Dutchess)–Close Rudd Pond Area
- Wonder Lake State Park (Putnam)–Close Park
Saratoga-Capital Region
- Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site (Rensselaer)–Close Historic Site
- Hudson River Islands State Park (Rensselaer)–Close Park
- John Boyd Thacher State Park (Albany)–Close Park
- John Brown Farm Historic Site (Essex)–Close Historic Site
- Johnson Hall State Historic Site (Fulton)–Close Historic Site
- Max V. Shaul State Park (Schoharie)–Close Park
- Schodack Island State Park (Rensselaer)–Close Park
- Schoharie Crossing Historic Site (Montgomery)–Close Historic Site
- Schuyler Mansion Historic Site (Albany)–Close Historic Site
Central Region
- Chittenango Falls State Park (Madison)–Close Park
- Clark Reservation State Park (Onondaga)–Close Park
- Fort Ontario State Historic Site (Oswego)–Close Historic Site
- Helen McNitt State Park (Madison)–Close Park
- Herkimer Home Historic Site (Herkimer)–Close Historic Site
- Hunts Pond State Park (Chenango)–Close Park
- Oquaga Creek State Park (Broome)–Close Park
- Old Erie Canal State Park (Onondaga)–Close Park
- Oriskany Battlefield/Steuben SHS (Oneida)–Close Historic Site
- Pixley Falls State Park (Oneida)–Close Park
- Robert Riddell State Park (Delaware)–Close Park
- Selkirk Shores State Park (Oswego)–Close Public Swimming Beach
Finger Lakes Region
- Beechwood State Park (Wayne)–Close Park
- Bonavista State Park (Seneca)–Close Park
- Chimney Bluffs State Park (Wayne)–Close Park
- Newtown Battlefield State Park (Chemung)–Close Park
- Springbrook Greens State Park (Cayuga)–Close Park
- Two Rivers State Park (Tioga)–Close Park
- Buttermilk Falls State Park (Tompkins)–Close Public Swimming Area
- Seneca Lake State Park (Seneca)–Close Lake Swimming Beach
- Stony Brook State Park (Steuben)–Close Public Swimming Area
Thousand Islands Region
- Canoe Island State Park (Jefferson)–Close Park
- Cedar Island State Park (Jefferson)–Close Park
- Eel Weir State Park (St. Lawrence)–Close Park
- Keewaydin State Park (Jefferson)–Close Park
- Macomb Reservation State Park (Clinton)–Close Park
- Mary Island State Park (Jefferson)–Close Park
- Point Au Roche State Park (Clinton)–Close Park
- Sackets Harbor State Historic Site (Jefferson)–Close Historic Site
Genesee Region
- Hamlin Beach State Park (Monroe)–Close Swimming Beach 3 Days per Week
- Oak Orchard State Marine Park (Orleans)–Close Park
- Regionwide Multiple Eliminate Camper Recreation Program
Niagara Region
- Joseph Davis State Park (Niagara)–Close Park
- Knox Farm State Park (Erie)–Close Park
- Wilson-Tuscarora State Park (Niagara)–Close Park
- Woodlawn Beach State Park (Erie)– Close Park
- Regionwide–Reduce interpretive programs
Allegany Region
- Allegany State Park (Cattaraugus)–Close Quaker Area Swim Beach; Close Quaker Cabins Area on December 1st; Eliminate Winter Trails Maintenance; Reduce Recreation Programs
- Long Point State Park (Chautauqua)–Close Park
Update: And now the Adirondack Mountain Club has issued a statement:
ADK Calls on Lawmakers to Reject Park Closure Plan
ALBANY, N.Y. – The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) called on the state Legislature today to reject Gov. David Paterson’s plan to close dozens of state parks and historic sites across New York.
“This ill-conceived plan would do little to reduce the state deficit, and could end up costing the New York more than it saves,” said Neil Woodworth, executive director of the Adirondack Mountain Club. “New York’s state parks are a magnet for out-of-state visitors, whose spending supports local businesses, creates jobs, pays local and state sales taxes and boosts the state economy. What’s more, people turned away from their favorite parks may never return, so this economic damage could be long-term.”
Among the parks listed for closure include John Boyd Thacher State Park in Albany County, Schunnemunk State Park in Orange County, John Brown Farm Historic Site in Essex County, Woodlawn Beach State Park in Erie County, Chittenango Falls State Park in Madison County, Point Au Roche State Park in Clinton County, Long Point State Park in Chautauqua County, Sacketts Harbor State Historic Site in Jefferson County, Schodack Island State Park in Rensselaer County, Pixley Falls State Park in Oneida County, Chimney Bluffs State Park in Wayne County and Nissequogue State Park in Suffolk County. Hours and amenities would be reduced at a number of other parks under the plan. (A complete list of closed parks is available at here.)
“Some of these closures make no sense, especially at the wilder state parks that cost little to staff and maintain,” Woodworth said. “How are they going to keep people out of Thacher Park, which has a public highway running through it? Unless they pay for security staff to keep people out, they will park along the side of the road and walk in. The situation would also leave the park and its facilities vulnerable to abuse and vandalism. Where are the cost savings in that?”
The governor’s proposal also raises a number of questions, such as whether long-distance hiking trails and canoe routes that pass through these state parks will be closed as well. For example, John Boyd Thacher State Park is the northern terminus of the Long Path Trail, which winds more than 300 miles from its start at the George Washington Bridge.
The Adirondack Mountain Club, founded in 1922, is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the New York State Forest Preserve and other wild lands and waters through conservation and advocacy, environmental education and responsible recreation.
NYS Parks & Historic Sites
List of New York state parks
Maybe NY State could raise some money by bringing back Fantasy Kingdom at Point Au Roche.
Seriously, I used to work at a state park while in college, a summer job that helped to pay the bills. And then there are those seasonal employees who work before and after the summer season. Closing parks means cutting jobs. And if there are not enough jobs for both regular employees and college students, how is the state going to save money in the long run? It can’t tax people on extended unemployment or those forced to use social services. And if someone can’t afford college, there goes tuition.
No wonder NY State ranks at the top of the list for population flight and at the very bottom for happiness.
When they talk about closing parks, are they just going to stop staffing them or do we lose access to the site entirely. They’re not selling the land right? We could get the parks back when the economy comes around? Or am I in denial.
Chimney Bluffs State Park existed for years and years in a sort of unofficial, unmaintained way but there was always a spot to park and a trail. Now they have bathrooms. It says they recommend closing it but does that mean just stop maintaining the trails and close the facilities or… it must be more because it says they’re going to close Beechwood and you can’t even find that if you don’t know where to look. There are no facilities. There isn’t even a sign or a parking area.
Our parks are one of the best things about this state.
I’m not happy.
I think the trails will remain open, though who would maintain or monitor is a question.
Point au Roche’s main asset is the trail system. I think a moderate volunteer effort could keep those in shape. I think it was mentioned somewhere that the parking would be closed. Which doesn’t make sense, because the Park is closed most of the year anyway, but parking is open.
Macomb’s Campground likely is not at full-capacity, so it makes sense. However, there’s also a great beach there which would be a loss if closed to the public.
IT SEEMS THAT OUR GOVENOR AND HIS CRONIES HAVE LOST TOUCH WITH REALITY. THE COMMON ORDINARY PERSON CAN NOT RUN OFF TO FAR AWAY LANDS AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES FOR THEIR VACATIONS (IF THEY CAN EVEN AFFORD ONE). WE ARE MOST LIKELY TO STAY NEAR HOME AND DAY TRIP TO A NEAR BY STATE PARK FOR A PICNIC OF SOME SORT. MY WIFE AND I EVEN GO TO THE PARK FOR AN EVENING TO WATCH THE BIRDS FLY,THE FISH JUMP, AND THE SUN GO DOWN ON A LOVELY DAY. THESE TIMES WILL BE MISSED BY A LOT OF FOLKS. THE GOVENER IS NOT EVEN THINKING OF ALL THE FAMILYS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN WHO LIKE TO PLAY IN THE WATER. THOSE TIMES WILL BE MISSED BY THEM AS WELL. IM SURE THAT IF HE EVER HAD GONE TO A STATE PARK HE WOULD THINK TWICE ABOUT CLOSING EVEN ONE OF THEM OR SHORTENING THE HOURS OF OPERATION OR CLOSING SWIMMING HOLES AT THE PARKS.
JUST THINK ALL THE MONEY THAT COULD BE SAVED IF OUR STATE LEADERS THOUGHT ABOUT OTHERS INSTEAD OF ONLY TRYING TO GET RELECTED. MY GUESS IS THAT WE WOULDN’T HAVE A STATE DEFICET EITHER.
We just recently found out that Caroga Lake State Campground closed. This is where they held the summer rec program for our kids. We live nearby and it was nice to go camping there as we have a dog that barks way to much and we could stop home and feed and water him everyday along with the cats. We don’t make alot of money so trying to afford camping and boarding is not an option. Why can’t they get volenteers? I mean really I would be willing to stay all season and be able to have access for our children to have somewhere they can enjoy and have fun. It is a small community here and this closing will affect most if not all of the bussiness in our little town
Is there a closure list by counties?
Counties are indicated in paretheses. Sorry, that’s all I’ve got.
Maybe we should put a foot fence around Central Park and close that too…. Oh you forgot to mention…. all the state forest land in the western part of the state has been closed…. Maybe all you politicians should take all the taxpayers money you’ve been stuffing in your pockets for decades through greed and corruption and give it back to the parks department… Maybe we should make a list of state legislators who will not be paid this year.. The taxpayers of New York pay the highest taxes in the United States…Leave our parks alone…Make your cuts somewhere else…
I’m doing a project o this very subject. Thanks for the complete list. I’m working an angle within my collegeto raise awareness of this plight. In this, our most desperate of economic times were are the people to go? Wher are they going to see the majesty of mother nature? I’m not a tree freak but I will miss the chance to see those parts of our state now closed to me.
Ouch. This park crisis hurts! I wish there was a wealthy group of philanthropists who could bail out our parks. I hope they don’t close for long. There aren’t many places we can go for (almost) free to walk and ponder in nature; a simple pleasure.
dOES pATTERSON REALIZE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY PAID FEES TO THESE PARKS? IS HE GOING TO PAY IT BACK? COME ON WAKE UP AND REALIZE THE US CAN NOT AFFORD EXORBITANT VACATIONS THANKS TO THE JOKES WE HAVE RUNNING OUR COUNTRY. AS LONG AS THEY GET THEIR MONEY THEY DON’T CARE HOW THE “LITTLE GUY” LIVES. ABOUT TIME FOR MAJOR CHANGE.
It’s still months before November, but it’s coming.
Closing these parks and historic sites is another example of our state government destroying the budget and relying on wrongfully taking from the taxpayer to pay for the horrible management of state funds. It’s clear that Paterson has never enjoyed the outdoors and he doesn’t want anyone else to enjoy it either. Asshole!