The next casualties of the state's budget problems may be the state's parks—just in time for summer! The State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has said it will close 55 parks and historic sites around the state in response to Paterson's budget cuts, and parks not on the chopping block could see reduced hours and closed facilities. The proposed cuts include closing Bayswater Point State Park in Queens, Riverbank State Park in Harlem and closing the pool and canceling 4th of July fireworks at Jones Beach State Park.
Though the State Senate and the Assembly have voted to include $11.3 million in parks operating funds in the new budget, if the already overdue budget doesn't pass soon it could mean an end to some park activities. Many parks are already behind schedule on training staff for camping and lifeguard work because the budget has put hiring on hold. Parks agency spokesman Eileen Larrabee told the Daily News they are halting spring preparations in the parks on the cut list, even though the cuts haven't passed yet. "We are not opening rest-rooms," she said. "We are not doing the general maintenance, whether it be putting out picnic tables or mowing the lawns... we're not hiring seasonal employees for those parks."
Locals are upset that they may soon face summers without local pools or lawns, and New Yorkers to Save Riverbank is trying to keep the cuts from going through. After already losing all their spring classes last month, they are encouraging locals to call Paterson's office and ask that they consider the park when making their budget decisions. Member Lewis Burgess said, “The children are being hurt, clearly. Just cutting seems to be counterproductive, and it hurts so many people.”
