State parks in Finger Lakes to cut services

By The Citizen staff report

Thursday, April 9, 2009 11:36 PM EDT

State budget cuts will lead to some reductions in services available at state parks in the Finger Lakes region, the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation said Thursday.
File Photo
The changes include reduced swimming beach hours at Long Point State Park just outside the village of Aurora and a delay to the seasonal opening of the beach at Fair Haven Beach State Park.

“State Parks, like all state agencies, is responding to the current economic realities. We have been charged with making many difficult decisions and the changes we announce today are among them,” said Commissioner Carol Ash in a press release.

“By concentrating the changes to the shoulder seasons, off-peak hours or facilities where similar services are available nearby, we hope to minimize the impact on our patrons.”

The daily entrance fee to the parks won't change.

Below are the changes for Finger Lakes region parks:

• Buttermilk Falls State Park: Swimming area will open four weeks late (June 20).

• Cayuga Lake State Park: Swimming beach will open four weeks late (June 20).

• Fair Haven Beach State Park: Swimming beach will open four weeks late (June 20). The number of fall camping sites will be reduced and winter cabin rentals eliminated.

• Long Point State Park: Swimming will be closed Monday through Friday (open on weekends and holidays only).

• Newtown Battlefield State Park: The campground season will be shortened by three weeks, opening late (May 22) and closing early (Oct. 12).

• Seneca Lake State Park: The lake swimming beach will be open on weekends and holidays only (closed Monday through Friday). The spray park will remain open seven days.

• Taughannock Falls State Park: Camping will open one month late (April 24). The winter sledding area will be closed.

• Golf Courses. Three golf courses - Bonavista, Pinnacle, and Springbrook Greens -will open late (April 18) and close early (Oct. 24).

The Citizens' Say

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There are 3 comment(s)

brew1234 wrote on Apr 10, 2009 7:44 PM:

" This is the most ill-conceived plan I have ever heard of. The loss of direct revenue from the state parks and the indirect revenue from lost sales taxes from area businesses will make these cuts counter productive. If some fees need to be increased or staff cut I could see, but to shut down parks on weekdays is foolish. Please rethink this idea. "

jonathan dough wrote on Apr 10, 2009 5:28 PM:

" Now let me get this straight. The state budget went up 10 billion dollars from last year, yet the governor is still ordering across the board cuts in all areas. Where is the money going? Are we firing state employees to increase the welfare rolls? Also I'd like to know where my ny state tax cut was, almost all taxes and fees collected from us have increased. "

northender wrote on Apr 10, 2009 2:04 PM:

" most of the parks are usable now in the spring ,fishing etc, and are not charging as of yet,not sure of the weekends ?maybe? "

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