NIAGARA FALLS — don.glynn@niagara-gazette.com
Faced with a current lack of funding and the growing concern over additional job cuts, the regional state parks commission plans to shutdown two other parks by the end of December.
Mark Thomas, the western district director for the statewide parks system, said that Joseph Davis State Park in Lewiston and Woodlawn Beach State Park, Hamburg, will close, effective Dec. 31.
Last month, the Albany-based parks agency announced that it was closing Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora due to the budget crisis.
Thomas said that while the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will no longer staff and maintain the three sites, it is possible that two of the parks will operate under contracts with the towns of Hamburg and Lewiston. In East Aurora, officials have been exploring ways the town might keep Knox Farm open.
Thomas said the Hamburg Town Board has already approved a resolution for the supervisor to enter into an agreement with the state parks department.
Lewiston Supervisor Steven L. Reiter confirmed the town has held discussions with park officials in anticipation of signing a long-term lease to operate Joseph Davis State Park.
“We feel it’s an excellent opportunity to invest some greenway money to keep that parkland open. In addition to the hiking trails and picnic areas,” Reiter said. The park draws bird watchers, fishermen and disc golfers.
He hopes that eventually part of the park could be converted into a campground but any such changes would have to be approved by the state parks agency that still owns the land.
Thomas painted a dismal picture for the seven-member parks commission meeting Wednesday at the Prospect Park administration building.
“We’re facing park closings, more layoffs and with no word yet on what our budget will be,” Thomas added. The state is expected to have a budget approved by late January.
The regional parks agency will start the new year with 11 fewer employees, seven of those laid off at the Niagara Falls State Park.
It is possible even more layoffs will be announced in 2011, a park spokesman added.
Earlier this year, state parks officials said they would be forced to close some 40 parks and 14 historic sites because of New York’s budget crisis.
Subsequently, state lawmakers voted to keep all the parks, historic sites and campgrounds open with money from the Environmental Protection Fund.
Contact reporter Don Glynn at 282-2311, ext. 2246.
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