Action Alert: Save Your State Park!
| nylcv.e-actionmax.com | Thursday, September 02, 2010 |
This action alert campaign has closed.
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Save Your State Park!
You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the
directions at the bottom.
Governor Proposes Park Closures Across The State
As part of an austerity budget, Gov. David Paterson has released a list of 91 parks and historic sites that would close altogether, along with another 40 that would experience "service reductions."
Unless the Assembly and State Senate can restore the proposed cuts, no corner of the state will be spared:
- Among the many closures proposed is the West Swimming Pool at Jones Beach -- one of the most popular attractions at one of the busiest parks.
- By sheer numbers, Central New York would take the biggest hit, with eight state parks closed completely, followed by the Thousand Islands Region, at seven, the Finger Lakes Region, at six, and Long Island, at five.
- The Saratoga-Capital Region, which will experience the complete closure of four state parks, will suffer the most in terms of shuttered historic sites. The Palisades Region ranks next, with four to close.
Along with total shutdown of facilities, the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will, at various locations around the state, close swimming pools and swimming areas, eliminate classes, sports programs and cultural events, shorten seasons and/or close facilities a few days a week.
NYLCV strongly opposes the closures, as well as sweeping staff cuts at the Office of Parks, not least for economic reasons: - According to a 2009 report, state parks and historic sites generate $1.9 billion annually in economic activity statewide. Visitors from outside the community account for about 40% of that activity -- visitors and money that communities will lose if parks are forced to close.
- Additionally, state parks and historic sites account for 20,000 non-park jobs statewide. These are long-term, sustainable jobs that will last as long as our state invests in its parks system. The investment in state parks is a good one; for every dollar the state spends on parks, it gets back five dollars in economic activity.
Click "more" to see how your nearby state park is affected:
Your message will be sent to each of the following targets:
Assemblymember Brian M. Kolb
Assemblymember Sheldon Silver
Senator Dean G. Skelos
Senator John L. Sampson
Your State Representative
Your State Senator
A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending.
Do Not Close My State Park!
Dear Assemblymember Kolb,
Our state parks and historic sites are vital to making New York a great state to live, work and recreate.
As a member of New York League of Conservation Voters, I am writing to urge you to restore $11 million to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation that will allow parks to remain open and help our communities through the current economic crisis.
Here are some sound economic reasons to restore this budget cut:
*According to a 2009 report, state parks and historic sites generate $1.9 billion annually in economic activity statewide. Visitors from outside the community account for about 40 percent of that activity; if those visitors don't come, that economic activity and many jobs will be lost.
*Additionally, state parks and historic sites account for 20,000 non-park jobs statewide. These are long-term, sustainable positions that will last as long as our state invests in its park system.
*The investment in state parks is a good one; for every dollar the state spends on parks, it gets back five dollars in economic activity.
In tough economic times like these, parks are an even more important resource for those of us who cannot afford to travel. Please restore the proposed budget cut and keep our parks open.
Thank you. Your name and address here
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This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.
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