State considers closing 10 parks on Long Island

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."

Lyons started a Facebook fan page, called Save Long Island Parks, and has been using it in every way she can to raise awareness of the consequences of closing state parks. The page already has almost 400 fans. "There are so many alternatives -- there's other things besides closing down totally," Lyons said.

"Quite frankly, it's a disgrace that these kinds of decisions are being made," said Assemblyman Tom Alfano (R-Franklin Square). "These kinds of decisions are what happens when you have no system of checks and balances. ... Cutting parks is a spineless way to balance a budget. It hurts the people and just doesn't make sense."

According to a report released last year by Parks & Trails New York, the state parks "generate substantial net economic benefits for the people and economy of the Empire State." The report noted that direct spending by the parks department and by visitors to the parks supports up to $1.9 billion in output and sales, $440 million in employment income and 20,000 jobs.

Broken down by region, Long Island's parks are the second-highest producer of jobs (3,992) and output, about $410 million, but its parks host the most visitors. In 2007-08, Long Island parks were visited by 19.9 million people. Parks in the Niagara Frontier, which are the highest producers of jobs and output, had 10.3 million visitors.

And numbers are hardly the whole story. The Parks & Trails report noted that "[t]he state park system generates significant additional economic benefits to the state, including maintaining the natural environment, providing an escape for millions of New Yorkers and others from around the world, and protecting the state's heritage for future generations."

"I am sorry that it has come to this as a method to balance the budget," said Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, who represents Lakeview. "Hempstead Lake State Park is used heavily by constituents who cannot get to Jones Beach or cannot afford the bus." Goosby added, "A smaller fee increase may help to keep our parks open for now. When the economy gets better, remove the additional fees."

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation operates and maintains 178 state parks and 35 state historic sites, covering a total of 325,000 acres, according to Parks & Trails New York. It represents a collection of natural and recreational assets, including 1,350 miles of hiking trails, more than 8,000 campsites and hundreds of swimming pools, beaches, boat launches, nature centers and golf courses.

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