State considers closing 10 Long Island parks

Long Island may lose 10 state parks this summer as a result of a proposed $29 million budget cut facing the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

In addition to those closures, and perhaps as many as 100 others throughout the state, admissions fees at some beaches and other venues could increase.

"We are in the process of reviewing operations in our 213 properties throughout the state in order to identify savings," said parks spokeswoman Eileen Larrabee. "Raising admissions fees is under consideration."

Among those parks rumored to be considered for closure are Hempstead Lake and Valley Stream.

This would be the first time in its history that the state parks office closed an entire park, Larrabee said. In the past, budget cuts have resulted in partial closures or termination of some services. The parks department has reduced hours, shortened seasons and closed pools or beaches at larger parks, but this year's proposed budget cut is far more drastic than those in the past. Last year, the department's budget was cut by $5 million.

But, Larrabee added, just like all other state offices and agencies, the parks office is "dealing with the economic realities facing the state."

For some, like state Sen. Jose Serrano (D-Manhattan/Bronx), who chairs the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, this isn't the best way to deal with those realities. "If immediate action is not taken in regards to the massive cuts to parks in the Executive Budget, we may face unprecedented park closures on Long Island, but also throughout New York state," Serrano said in a statement. "We are being confronted with challenging fiscal realities, and our parks have shown their potential as catalysts for economic expansion by creating jobs and generating tourism. We cannot risk losing our state's most precious natural treasure, and ... I am working tirelessly so that these possible closings don't become a reality."

Malverne resident Allison Lyons is doing her part to see that the parks don't close. "We can't let this happen," she told the Herald. "If they board up these parks, they are boarding up our past and future memories."