Memorial Day weekend park attendance up 17%

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - State parks employees got the word today to open all the gates and get the parks up and running for the holiday weekend. It's not an easy feat, especially when some of the parks have been completely unmaintained this year.

Thursday night, the Legislature approved a deal that provides $11 million for operations this year, offset by money from the Environmental Protection Fund. Friday afternoon, the Senate's 32-27 vote sent the legislation to the Governor's desk for his signature.

Park staff members had very little notice and they did as much as they could on Friday given that the state won't pay overtime. At Cedar Bay, crews were able to get the bathrooms up and running, but there is no drinking water and the water fountain is off-limits.

Similar preparations were underway at Chittenango Falls State Park where lots of mowing had to be done and the gorge trails had to be re-opened. State officials investigated the trails Friday morning to make sure they were free of debris and safe for people to walk on. Workers were also charging the water system and taking the boards off the restrooms. The sinks and toilets can be used, but there simply isn't time to test the water, so visitors at the park will not be able to drink it.

The central region usually has 400 seasonal employees but on Friday there was no money to hire them. They will now start bringing additional employees on.

Green Lakes was not affected by the park closures and it is fully operational already. In fact, swimming was permitted there as early as Wednesday.

Albany (WSYR-TV) - Thursday night Governor Paterson announced that an agreement had been reached with the Legislature to reopen 55 state parks and historic sites that had previously been closed.

The agreement includes taking $80 million from the Environmental Protection Fund. $6 of that will be used to pay for the operation costs of the 55 sites that had been closed. The remaining $74 million will be deposited into the General Fund.

Additionally, $16 million of proceeds from the Real Estate Transfer Tax will be used to support State Parks and local governments in the forest preserve.

"State Parks are part of our history and our future. Families depend on parks for recreation, and as the economic engine that drives our tourism industry, New York depends on them for its economy," said Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson.

Paterson also says the agreement included enacting his E-waste Program Bill that creates a state-wide recycling program for electronics. "Recycling E-waste is great for the environment, presents tremendous economic opportunities for businesses growth and benefits the consumer," the Governor said.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York Gov. David Paterson says an agreement has been reached to keep all 178 state parks open for the Memorial Day weekend.

The Paterson administration has listed 41 parks and 14 of the state's 35 historic sites for closing, along with service cuts at others, to help close the state's budget gap.

Speaking on WOR radio 710's "The John Gambling Show," Paterson said negotiations that ended early Thursday morning would provide $11 million for full operations this year, offset by money from the Environmental Protection Fund, which would be cut by about $74 million.

Lawmakers, who wanted smaller EPF cuts and balked at Paterson's proposal earlier in the week, are expected to vote on the plan later in the day.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Top lawmakers say they're nearing a deal with Gov. David Paterson to have all 178 state parks open for the Memorial Day weekend.

The Paterson administration has listed 41 parks for closing and plans service reductions at two dozen others unless $5 million to $6 million is found by cutting elsewhere in the budget.

Senate Democratic leader Sen. John Sampson says Wednesday there is a tentative deal and lawmakers may act later in the day. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says it's not a deal yet, but close. He believes the parks will be open for the weekend.

Paterson spokesman Morgan Hook says there's no agreement yet.

The deal would include the 14 of 35 state historic sites targeted for closing.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York may yet keep all its parks and historic sites open and fully staffed this difficult fiscal year including the Memorial Day holiday next week, according to senior officials in the Paterson administration.

Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari said Sunday that he expects his chamber will approve Paterson's proposal. Senate Democratic leader John Sampson said he needs to review details of the bill, but funding the parks before the budget is settled is a win for New Yorkers.

Gov. David Paterson on Monday will send a bill to the Legislature that would keep all New York parks and historic sites open through next March under the usual hours, services, parking, and other facilities, according to the senior staff who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the bill wasn't yet final or introduced.

But the Legislature would have to agree to cut $6 million from the Environmental Protection Fund. Many legislators try to protect the fund and the environmental and public health programs it funds. The fund has been raided several times in recent years to bolster the general fund.

"The days of wine and roses are over," one of the top officials said, quoting former Gov. Hugh Carey during the fiscal crisis in the 1970s. "These are the days of bread and water."

Democratic and Republican lawmakers in stalled budget talks as recently as Saturday in the governor's mansion said a top priority for them was to keep the parks and sites open. Sampson, a Brooklyn Democrat, proposed the parks funding in last week's public leaders meeting on the budget and Canestrari, an Albany County Democrat, has repeatedly pushed to keep the parks open.

"It's great," Canestrari said in an interview. "He's listening to the public, which has been outraged over the park closing. I give him credit for acknowledging it."

He said lawmakers would prefer to fully protect the fund, too. "But these are difficult times."

He said funding is needed for parks and historic sites not just to remain open, but to continue critical maintenance.

To reduce that "is a risky proposition we don't want to gamble with," Canestrari said.

Sampson said it's important to keep the parks open, although "we have some concerns about how this problem is being resolved."

Paterson had agreed to keep the parks open if the Legislature agreed to cuts elsewhere to fund it because the state faces a $9.2 billion deficit. But there has been no agreement on the budget, which was due April 1.

The bill would keep 41 parks and 14 historic sites open through March 31, 2011. It would also return 23 parks to full service, such as keeping the restrooms open.

Removing the issue of parks funding would eliminate one of the stumbling blocks in negotiation for a 2010-11 budget that is expected to be more than $130 billion.

Paterson has insisted on a corresponding spending cut to keep parks and sites fully funded. The result would be a 4.5 percent cut in about 30 programs funded by the EPF. Those include solid waste treatment programs and the purchase of open space to protect land from development.

With every senator and Assembly member having at least one park or historic site in their district, the fight to keep them open became a hot political issue this election year. Although advocates warned even popular parks were to close after the April 1 start of the fiscal year, the result so far has been reduced services such as locked restrooms, mostly at the least used sites. A week ago, however, the state parks and historic sites agency began locking some gates to parking lots and locking some restrooms. Some state-run beaches on Long Island, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and several historic sites dating back to the Revolutionary War have also been scheduled for reduced services or closing.

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Governor David Paterson's office has sent a bill to the Legislature that would provide funding to continue the operation of State parks, but some critics have taken exception to the plan.

Many Central New Yorkers find it difficult to accept that their state parks may not be open this summer. Mona Wilson, for example, can't understand why a compromise can't be reached. Wilson takes her 4-year-old, Dean, every chance she gets. "I think state parks are important," Wilson. "This is the environment! I think it's a nice thing to have your children go outside. Enjoy being outside instead of watching video games."

Tom Dolan's Pomeranian, Barkley, loves being outside, too. "We use green lakes a lot," Dolan said. "Love that park and we always use the canal. It's great."

The parks wouldn't normally be open yet anyway, but news that they may not open at all has caused public outcry. The Governor's proposal to take money from the environmental protection fund is welcomed news, at least to those who want the parks to stay open no matter what.

"I don't see why they wouldn't push to keep something like this open," Wilson said.

"People can find ways to save if they really try. People don't want to give up other things but I think this is an important amenity," said Dolan.

Sheldon Silver says lawmakers may decide to pass a mandate to open all parks, but Paterson could veto that.

The Environmental Protection Fund released a statement late this afternoon blasting the Governor's proposal, calling it a polluted plan. They say it is a simple trade off of open parks at the expense of dirty water. 

A press release from the EPF said, "The governor's proposal is nothing more than a Bernie Maddoff Ponzi-scheme that robs Peter to pay Paul and, in turn, threatens successful and critical on-going programs that protect clean water."

The group goes on to say that open parks cannot come at the expense of clean water. They want the parks to stay open, but not this way.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Gov. David Paterson's proposal to keep all New York's 213 parks and historic sites funded and open starting Memorial Day weekend has hit resistance from lawmakers and environmentalists since it's embedded in a broader measure to reduce dedicated environmental spending.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Monday called it "inappropriate" for Paterson to put $6 million for parks in a bill that actually reallocates $110 million from the state's Environmental Protection Fund. He says lawmakers instead may simply pass a mandate to open all parks, but Paterson could veto that as he seeks to cut spending in a fiscal crisis.

Administration officials listed 14 historic sites and 41 parks for closing, though eight have found local or private funding.

ALBANY (WSYR-TV) - Governor David Paterson's office has sent a bill to the Legislature that would provide funding to continue the operation of State parks and historic sites this year.

If approved, the bill would allow 41 state parks and 14 historic sites to remain open and would provide for continued services at 23 parks and one historic site. The bill would also continue necessary and critical programs funded through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).

The Governor's bill includes a fund transfer and appropriation authorization. Specifically, this bill will reduce the amount of real estate transfer tax (RETT) revenue deposited into the Environmental Protection Fund in State Fiscal Year 2010-11 by $67 million, from $199.3 million to $132.3 million and remove references to RETT deposits related to prior fiscal years.

It would also provide discrete appropriations for the approximately 30 categories and programs funded in the EPF. The total amount appropriated in this bill is $143 million, representing the necessary funding for state fiscal year 2010-11. The bill also creates a new category in the EPF to fund state park operations at $6 million.

The bill does not increase state spending since proposed new funding, critical to keeping parks operating, will be offset by one-time across-the-board reductions to nearly all programs funded in the EPF. Deposits into the EPF from the Real Estate Transfer Tax will be reduced commensurate with the recommended spending levels.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York may yet keep all its parks and historic sites open and fully staffed this difficult fiscal year including the Memorial Day holiday next week, according to senior officials in the Paterson administration.

Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari said Sunday that he expects his chamber will approve Paterson's proposal. Senate Democratic leader John Sampson said he needs to review details of the bill, but funding the parks before the budget is settled is a win for New Yorkers.

Gov. David Paterson on Monday will send a bill to the Legislature that would keep all New York parks and historic sites open through next March under the usual hours, services, parking, and other facilities, according to the senior staff who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the bill wasn't yet final or introduced.

But the Legislature would have to agree to cut $6 million from the Environmental Protection Fund. Many legislators try to protect the fund and the environmental and public health programs it funds. The fund has been raided several times in recent years to bolster the general fund.

"The days of wine and roses are over," one of the top officials said, quoting former Gov. Hugh Carey during the fiscal crisis in the 1970s. "These are the days of bread and water."

Democratic and Republican lawmakers in stalled budget talks as recently as Saturday in the governor's mansion said a top priority for them was to keep the parks and sites open. Sampson, a Brooklyn Democrat, proposed the parks funding in last week's public leaders meeting on the budget and Canestrari, an Albany County Democrat, has repeatedly pushed to keep the parks open.

"It's great," Canestrari said in an interview. "He's listening to the public, which has been outraged over the park closing. I give him credit for acknowledging it."

He said lawmakers would prefer to fully protect the fund, too. "But these are difficult times."

He said funding is needed for parks and historic sites not just to remain open, but to continue critical maintenance.

To reduce that "is a risky proposition we don't want to gamble with," Canestrari said.

Sampson said it's important to keep the parks open, although "we have some concerns about how this problem is being resolved."

Paterson had agreed to keep the parks open if the Legislature agreed to cuts elsewhere to fund it because the state faces a $9.2 billion deficit. But there has been no agreement on the budget, which was due April 1.

The bill would keep 41 parks and 14 historic sites open through March 31, 2011. It would also return 23 parks to full service, such as keeping the restrooms open.

Removing the issue of parks funding would eliminate one of the stumbling blocks in negotiation for a 2010-11 budget that is expected to be more than $130 billion.

Paterson has insisted on a corresponding spending cut to keep parks and sites fully funded. The result would be a 4.5 percent cut in about 30 programs funded by the EPF. Those include solid waste treatment programs and the purchase of open space to protect land from development.

With every senator and Assembly member having at least one park or historic site in their district, the fight to keep them open became a hot political issue this election year. Although advocates warned even popular parks were to close after the April 1 start of the fiscal year, the result so far has been reduced services such as locked restrooms, mostly at the least used sites. A week ago, however, the state parks and historic sites agency began locking some gates to parking lots and locking some restrooms. Some state-run beaches on Long Island, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and several historic sites dating back to the Revolutionary War have also been scheduled for reduced services or closing.

Cazenovia (WSYR-TV) - New York is closing 55 parks and historic sites across the state as the budget crisis continues. And even those that may not close have fallen to neglect as they wait for state funding to finance upkeep and staff. One Perryville man, however, refuses to let his park collapse.

Lawmakers did vote to restore $11.3 million in park funding cut from the governor's proposal, but lawmakers and Governor David Paterson have yet to agree on a budget, which is now 47 days late.

Sites with parking lot gates and restrooms will be locked and the state says anyone seen on the properties will be asked to leave.

Some local volunteers, however, aren't content letting their parks fall into disrepair. They're keeping places such as the Chittenango Falls State Park open so people can enjoy them, but the state is not maintaining them.

Seeing the unkempt state of the Chittenango State Falls Park was enough to motivate Jim Christenson to help out and he took matters into his own hands. He doesn't visit Chittenango Falls State Park much, but one recent trip is all it took. "Elizabeth, my friend, and I were walking the day before and I said this is ridiculous," said Christenson.

Christenson grabbed his mower and his friend's trailer and got to work.

Despite owning a powerful commercial riding mower, the grass was so high that it made mowing it a formidable task. "It was almost knee high, like a hayfield," Christenson said. "Even with that mower, commercial mower, I could just creep with it."

It took three and a half hours Sunday and another two and a half today on Monday. "I got what was needed. Around the picnic areas, spots where people would want to go," he said.

The grass was so high it stretched out the belt on his mower and he needed to get his blades sharpened. The new belt is going to cost Christenson $125, but it doesn't deter him from doing the good deed.

Christenson plans to cut it whenever he gets a chance throughout the season. "I just hope people will enjoy the park and bring their litter home with them," he said.

Christenson said that it would help his efforts if attendees at the park picked up tree limbs and stones from grassy areas so he can mow a little faster.

Cazenovia (WSYR-TV) - Counties will likely take a big financial hit with the closure of New York's state parks.

Madison County, in particular, relies on the money it makes from visitors to Chittenango Falls State Park. It's the county's top attraction. The first three pages of its tourism book tout everything the park has to offer. This year, however, people won't be able to enjoy it.

The falls still look nice, but the rest of the park is already falling to neglect. It's unfunded this year, so the grass is growing tall, the restrooms are closed, and the gorge trail is barricaded.

Madison County Tourism Executive Director Jim Walter's job just became much more difficult. He says the state took away his biggest attraction. 100,000 people typically visit the park annually.

"When you see major attractions like this close it's going hurt restaurants, shops because it draws people in which entices them to spend more money," Walter said. "It's sad, very sad to have the state close beauty because tourism is not going to be."

This weekend would be busy with college commencements, not to mention all the weddings where bridal parties that come here to have their pictures taken at the falls. So far, a lot have already cancelled.

"If having a wedding at the park, (they're) bringing catering, people stay at a hotel, there's a rehearsal dinner... All that adds up and hurts the overall economy in the area," Walter said.

The state took control of the park in the 1920's and it didn't close during the great depression. Walter questions why it's closing during an economic recovery. 

Madison County's next largest tourist attraction is the Madison-Bouckville Antique Show in August. The state hopes to re-open the parks sometime next year. Many legislators say funding them is a top priority.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - State parks officials said Friday they'll start shutting down or keeping closed dozens of parks and historic sites next week because of New York's budget crisis.

The gates at 41 parks and 14 historic sites will be locked starting Monday, said Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation spokeswoman Eileen Larrabee.

Most of the properties were closed for the winter or had reduced services, but typically would be preparing to reopen for the Memorial Day weekend, she said.

Larrabee said employees that had been assigned to the affected parks and historic sites are being transferred to others that are remaining open.

The Legislature has voted to restore $11.3 million in parks funding cut from Gov. David Paterson's budget proposal, but there's no agreement yet on a spending plan that's already more than 40 days late.

Paterson and parks Commissioner Carol Ash announced earlier this year that dozens of the state's 178 parks and 35 historic sites would have to be closed and others would have their services reduced because of New York's budget deficit, now estimated at $9.2 billion.

The properties on the closing list include John Boyd Thacher State Park, a clifftop park popular for its views of Albany, and several historic sites in the Hudson Valley commanded by Gen. George Washington during the Revolutionary War. The cuts also include canceling the annual July 4th fireworks display at state-run Jones Beach on Long Island.

A parks advocate called the situation a "slap in the face" to taxpayers.

"It's just preposterous that New Yorkers are being locked out of their parks," said Robin Dropkin, executive director of Parks & Trails New York. "Of all things they pay taxes on, parks is what they feel like they get the most back from."

Geoffrey Croft, president of NYC Park Advocates, questioned whether closing the Riverbank State Park in Harlem was even legal since it was created as mitigation for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant nearby. The park is very popular because it has a public swimming pool.

"It's outrageous that the state is doing this, especially in light of the fact that so little of the state's parkland is located downstate," Croft said. Another popular city park, the 12-acre Bayswater State Park in Jamaica Bay, has an operating budget of just $5,000 a year, he said. "So this is clearly not about money."

Lawn mowing, trail upkeep and other basic maintenance work had already been suspended at the sites. Starting Monday, restrooms at those properties will stay locked and picnic tables will remain in storage, Larrabee said. Those and other cost-cutting moves are expected to save the state several million dollars.

"Now that we are approaching Memorial Day, our high season, we do have to take these more affirmative steps to make sure we can secure those savings," she said. "We do consider these closures to be temporary, whether it be a year or less."

While the warmer weather has brought out people to parks that aren't officially open, starting Monday they'll be asked to leave for safety reasons, Larrabee said.

"We close parks all the time," she said. "We close parks at night, during the offseason. We close areas of parks at a certain time, so it's not unusual. When people are at a closed park, we will ask them to leave."

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Some state parks are already showing signs of neglect as they fall victim to cuts and New York's budget impasse.

The department of parks, recreation, and historic preservation is closing 41 parks and 14 historic sites. At those parks that aren't closing, including Green Lakes, maintenance and spending are being reduced to an as-needed basis.

Even though it's not quite summertime yet, people have already started using the Old Erie Canal State Park. This season's visitors may have to worry about the condition of the trail, however. To save money, the State will not be maintaining it this year.

Many parks will be barricaded so cars can't enter. Chittenango Falls will be open because the state says they don't want visitors parking on the main road. The gorge trails at that park, however, won't be open; and the playground is also closed.

Jon Gesin visited Cittenango Falls with his family Thursday, and found the playground closed. He sees the cuts to state parks as a double-edged sword. "It's families like us - we want taxes cut but we're stuck because if this is how they cut the budget this is where we come as a family to enjoy NY for what it has," Gesin said.

The Office of Parks and Recreation says this was a difficult decision, but one they had to make. They'll be very careful about what they spend money on at the parks that will remain open.

They hope to reopen these parks, but say the infrastructure could suffer because of the lack of maintenance. As a result, there may be long-term effects on the facilities.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A rally is planned in Albany by New Yorkers protesting Paterson administration plans to close dozens of state parks and historic sites.

The advocacy group Parks & Trails New York says Wednesday's rally will be held outside the Capitol at noon.

The state parks office has said it will close 41 of 178 parks and reduce services at 23 others and shut down 14 of 35 historic sites because of New York's budget crisis.

Gov. David Paterson's budget proposal for fiscal 2010-2011 cuts $20 million from the parks agency.

Earlier this week, parks officials said they had canceled hundreds of campsite reservations at 12 state parks that could be closed this year.

Advocates say closing parks will reduce state revenues and hurt local economies.

Albany (WSYR-TV) - The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation has recommended the closure of 41 parks and 14 historic sites, and service reductions at 23 parks and 1 historic site to meet budget.

The agency says the recommended list of closures and service reductions will address the State's historic fiscal difficulties.

In a statement, Gov. David Paterson said, “"New York faces an historic fiscal crisis of unprecedented magnitude. It has demanded many difficult but necessary decisions to help ensure the fiscal integrity of our State. The unfortunate reality of closing an $8.2 billion deficit is that there is less money available for many worthy services and programs. In an environment when we have to cut funding to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and social services, no area of State spending, including parks and historic sites, could be exempt from reductions.”

The cuts could save the state $6.3 million statewide as the governor's office looks to deal with a more than $8 billion budget deficit.

It’s not welcome news for people who use the parks on a regular basis like Clark Reservation, which even on a cold winter afternoon had some people walking around.

The decision to close parks and historical sites was based on park attendance and revenue. 

Closing Clark Reservation would save $76,000 a year; closing the Erie Canal Park would save around the same amount. Shutting down the Fort Ontario Historical site would save the state $97,000 a year.

Dan Keefe, a spokesperson with the New York State Parks Department said, “The governor has identified we have to reduce spending in all areas of government, and parks are no exception.”

However, the thought of closing local parks does not sit well with many. Lauren Ritchie lives in Syracuse, but makes the quick trip to Clark Reservation often. ‘This is absolutely one of my favorite places to walk in winter. There are very few routes where you can get out, be in the woods, be away from traffic and in the middle of nature living so close to the city.”

Candace Rhea lives in Syracuse but walks her dog at one of the state parks slated to close. “People have no money for big trips. This is a perfect quick trip for a family. It’s a wonderful facility.”

If these parks do close, what's stopping people from just driving in and using them?

• It depends on the setup of the park. If a park has a front gate, they could close it.
• Trails like the Erie Canal would not be maintained.

The Parks Department hasn’t gone so far as determine what would happen with the park land should the closings take place. They have only provided the governor’s office with a list of potential closures and the amount of money that would be saved by closing the parks.

The plan also assumes $4 million in park and historic site fee increases that will be identified at a later date, and the use of $5 million in funds from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to finance operations.

Specific recommended closures and service reductions are detailed below:

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

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

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
• Niagara Falls State Park (Niagara)-- Reduce Interpretive Programs
• Wilson-Tuscarora State Park (Niagara)--Close Park
• Woodlawn Beach State Park (Erie)-- Close Park

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

View NY State Park Closings in a larger map