By Don Glynn
In the wake of Gov. Paterson’s budget-slashing plan to close 41 state parks and 14 historic sites, a number of local people have vented their feelings.
A sampling of the reaction via my e-mails, phone calls and even standard mail:
n “Will they still cut the grass? Or will they wait until spring and decide to let it grow more because they can’t afford to hire seasonal help?( Answer: No, the grass will probably not be cut.)
• “I suppose this means they’ll hang a sign on the barricade at the (park) entrance: ‘Welcome Vandals.’ ”
• “Who’s saving money here? If the state parks closes Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, will the Town of Wilson residents end up paying to keep it open?”
• “The (state) parks are among the few affordable places for families that can’t afford to travel far on their vacation. Now they’re taking that away too.”
• “Will they still let us play disc golf there?” (at Joseph Davis State Park, Lewiston). (Still to be determined.)
Paul Stephens of Grand Island, a veteran disc golfer, said the Niagara Region Disc Golf Club has invested nearly $20,000 in the courses at Joseph Davis and Wilson-Tuscarora. When the weather is favorable, hundreds of people are out on the courses every week, Stephens added.
Even a number of state lawmakers — now more vulnerable to sharp criticism from their own constituents — are questioning Paterson’s park closing strategy.
“Vandalism could indeed be a problem,” said Assemblyman Steven Englebright, D-East Setauket, chair of the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development. The legislator raised that concern during a cable TV interview earlier in the week.
At a recent press conference, Englebright added: “New York State has never closed a park, not even in the depths of the Great Depression, since Niagara Falls State Park — which could see cutbacks in its programming if the cuts are allowed to stand — became the first state park in the nation in 1885.
The lawmaker noted that parks on the governor’s hit list for closure affect every region of the state, from Orient Beach State Park at the tip of Long Island to Wilson-Tuscarora State Park in Niagara County.”
Meanwhile, Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte, D-Niagara Falls, remains optimistic the overall issue might be resolved soon, if a proposal can be worked out with state Parks Commissioner Carol Ash.
DelMonte said she is organizing a rally — for supporters to keep the parks open — at 2 p.m. Saturday at Wilson-Tuscarora State Park.
Late Wednesday, just before a session with Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch, DelMonte said money to keep the parks open might be secured through the State Park Infrastructure Fund, the primary source of funding for the statewide agency’s capital projects.
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END OF AN ERA: The Niagara Falls, Ont., Memorial Arena, home to scores of Ontario Hockey league stars who moved up to the NHL, will be demolished later this year.
The arena off Centre Street, which opened Jan. 25, 1950, will be replaced by the new Gale Centre, Thorold Stone Road, for the start of next season.
In the 1960s, when the Niagara Falls Flyers (OHL) were owned by the Boston Bruins, the arena action featured such talented players as Bobby Orr, Derek Sanderson and Steve Larmer. Later a team known as The Thunder also played in the arena until the franchise was moved to Erie, Pa.
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HELPING HANDS DEPT.: If you’re planning to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Niagara Falls Conference Center (5-10 p.m. March 17), remember that the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies AOH will collect non-perishable food items at the door. All the donations will be given to the Heart & Soul Food Pantry, Ontario Avenue, Niagara Falls.
