Despite the cloudy economic forecast and the concern over high gasoline prices, the Niagara Falls State Park experienced a slight increase in revenues during the prime tourist season.
“Overall, we were up about 2 percent in revenues between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day,” said Ron Peters, park director at the nation’s oldest state park.
Peters was referring to revenues from the Discovery Pass, a single admission to several attractions and concessions within Prospect Park and on Goat Island.
The report was issued during the regional state park commission’s quarterly meeting Wednesday at Woodlawn Beach State Park in Hamburg.
Mark Thomas, western district director for the regional parks, praised the staff for working under difficult conditions, with reduced operating funds and cuts in the work force.
The outlook also is dismal with further reductions in the 2010-11 budget, he said.
“Statewide, the parks department budget is down 20 percent, compared with a year ago, and we’re about in the same position,” he added.
Across the state (178 parks and 35 historic sites), the parks agency is cutting back. The Niagara Region will have 100 fewer seasonal employees and about 15 permanent jobs will be eliminated.
In other action at the commission meeting:
• Commissioner Harvey N. Albond suggested the regional commission submit a letter of protest to the Albany-based parks agency, pointing out that the Niagara Falls State Park is unique as a major travel destination and should not be subject to the same severe budget cuts proposed for the other parks.
• Major Vincent Iacovitti, who heads the park police force, noted that budget constraints last year had forced the Police Academy to shut down. Iacovitti said it was difficult to operate with fewer officers — the academy graduates about 30 a year — and that he hoped the training courses would resume for the 2010 season.
“Even with those cuts, however, we had a very good year and our officers did fine work,” Iacovitti added.
• Angela Berti, marketing and media specialist for the regional parks, said a number of projects including a free concert are planned to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the state park. Among the colorful activities will be the re-enactment of the ceremony that day, July 15, 1885, when the Niagara Reservation (State Park) was dedicated.
• Cindy Abbott-Letro was elected vice chair of the seven-member commission headed by Jean Knox of Williamsville.
• The commission announced a public forum on the reconstruction of Reservoir State Park will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Power Vista, the visitors center at the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston.
“We welcome public input in this matter,” Thomas said.
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