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 Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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As many as 10 Long Island state parks from Valley Stream to Orient Beach could close by summer to make up for a proposed $29-million budget cut, according to park sources.
The state might also raise the cost of ocean beach admission and a round of golf. Sources said admission fees at venues such as Jones Beach would rise 25 percent from $8 to $10.
Sources said special events or programs such a 5K runs and the annual performance of the New York Philharmonic at Heckscher State Park might also be cut - unless they pay for themselves.
PHOTOS: See images from Heckscher State Park and Orient Beach State Park, two of the LI parks that could close this summer
MORE: Explore LI's look at Long Island's favorite parks
Word of the proposed cuts drew immediate criticism. "This will have an unacceptable negative impact to our quality of life and to our tourism and recreation industry," said Assemb. Steven Englebright (D-Setauket), chairman of the parks and tourism committee. "The public needs to communicate its displeasure in a very forceful manner to their elected representatives and the governor."
Last year, more than 2 million people visited the 10 parks, according to parks statistics.
Eileen Larrabee, spokeswoman for the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, declined to confirm the proposed list of closures. "We continue to consider all aspects of our operations," she said. "I can confirm that we are looking at some fees increases, including ocean beach admission and golf fees statewide."
Sources said contracts for most special events have been held up by officials waiting to see if there will be money.
The list of proposed cuts is still subject to change, even before the Legislature tackles Gov. David A. Paterson's proposed budget. But Commissioner Carol Ash has said some parks will close under the budget plan. No parks official has made such a statement since 1991, when a budget crisis brought a threat to close Robert Moses State Park and others upstate.
"There have been numerous lists and analyses that have emerged out of this process," Larrabee said. "This week, the governor proposed changes. Language was added in the Environmental Protection Fund to allow the agency to take $5 million in capital spending and transfer it to operating expenses. That, along with fee increases, would reduce the number of closures and service reductions."
Sources said more than 10 of Long Island's 28 state parks were on the closing list before the fee increases were proposed. They added that the $5-million transfer would save four of the 10 targeted parks: Brentwood, Heckscher, Hempstead Lake and Valley Stream.
But that transfer requires legislative approval, which parks advocates and elected officials say is highly unlikely.
Al Caccese, executive director of Audubon New York and a former parks official, said the $29-million cut - on top of $45 million in reductions in the last two years - means that "more than 100 parks and historic sites will be closed statewide. I think the people will speak loudly through their representatives, as they have in the past," he said.
Robin Dropkin, executive director of Parks & Trails New York, an advocacy group, said, "It's the first time in the history of the parks system, which is the oldest in the country and one of the most diverse, that parks are going to close. They didn't close during the Great Depression."
Dropkin said her group usually doesn't favor higher fees, "but people would probably rather absorb a couple of extra bucks as long as they can go to a park."
Parks and the budget
The state parks department, handed a $29-million cut in the governor's proposed budget, has put several reductions or closures on the table.
POTENTIAL PARK CLOSURES:
Brentwood
Brookhaven
Caleb Smith
Cold Spring Harbor
Heckscher
Hempstead Lake
Nissequogue River
Orient Beach
Trail View
Valley Stream
Other proposed cuts:
Closure of pools at Jones Beach, Heckscher and Montauk Downs.
Connetquot: Would close weekdays.
Elimination of cultural, recreational and environmental programs and events.
Bethpage: Eliminate winter sports such as sledding, reduce polo and picnic operations and reduce golf course maintenance.
Eliminate assistance to Walt Whitman Birthplace.
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