Jamesville (WSYR-TV) – The weather so far this summer has hardly been perfect for a day at the beach, and Onondaga County says the cool, damp conditions could have an impact on the Parks Department budget.
So far in 2009, paid traffic at Jamesville beach is down an estimated 25% to 30% versus last year. County Parks Commissioner Bob Geraci says 20 percent of the Parks Department budget comes from revenue and if attendance remains down, it'll have an impact. Geraci also says, however, that on sunny days, people are coming out in droves. Unfortunately, most of those sunny days fall during the week, when people are working.
"It's all about the weather when it comes to parks and rec," Geraci says.
When they lose revenue, the department does their best to make up for it in different areas, perhaps by spending less money for other things. The hope is that the weather cooperates and visitors pick up through the rest of July and August.
This afternoon, the only people at the beach were children who were part of a summer camp. A few went swimming in the cold water, but the rest hung out under a pavilion. Heavy rain started to fall while they were there.
