New York State DEC to Close 6 Campgrounds in 2009

[campadk]

Some potential bad news for NY campers... especially those heading into the ADK area...

“As Governor Paterson has made clear, New York is facing a large budget deficit and must make many hard choices,” Commissioner Grannis said. “Closing these facilities for the 2009 season is one such hard choice, but is one that is necessary in these tough economic times.”

The six facilities slated for closure are:
-- Poke-O-Moonshine, Essex County, Town of Keesville (Adirondacks).
-- Sharp Bridge, Essex County, Town of North Hudson (Adirondacks).
-- Point Comfort, Hamilton County, Town of Piseco (Adirondacks).
-- Tioga Point, Hamilton County, Town of Raquette Lake (Adirondacks).
-- Beaverkill, Sullivan County, Town of Roscoe (Catskills).
-- Bear Spring Mountain, Delaware County, Town of Walton (Catskills).

See http://www.newzjunky.com/news/0220dec.htm

On the plus side, Fish Creek Pond, home to our yearly Spring TearUp has one of the highest occupany rates.. think we'll survive the Recession...

[greg755]

I'm thinking FREE CAMPING! No rangers to collect my money

Unfortunately, New York will soon be issuing I O U's like CA.

Maybe Patterson ought to sell that new Persian rug he bought for the Governors Mansion...

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Dave, I sure hope they don't start taxing us on Kayak miles paddled. Alan & Leslie will be in trouble. Oh, I forgot, they could always apply for a "bailout" from our new leader.

No worries.

[campadk]

Hey Kurt.. what do you think of those newish peddle Kayaks? Have seen some amazing videos on youtube of the Hobie's...

http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/index.html

Kayaks are moving up our 'to buy list'. They demo them in Cornwall Ontario. We pass through there on the way to ADK land all the time, so want to check them out in the spring. Have you tried one?

On no.. I'm hijacking my own thread!

[ssrjim]

With the three parks, which drew nearly 230,000 combined visitors last year, there are 11 that could close - some as early as next week - after a Friday decision by the Arizona State Parks Board. Park closures and reduced park hours are among a variety of options being considered as the state Parks Department grapples with nearly $35 million that was cut or swept from the agency's budget in fiscal 2009, including $27 million in cuts and fund sweeps approved by legislators and Gov. Jan Brewer late last month.

[Rick Sheerin]

Just wait till Paterson leases the campgrounds out to be managed by private companies! Fees will go way up and services will go way down

[devigata]

There's 19 Florida parks on the chopping block as of October 2008. Won't know until March what actually gets cut.

I think I'd rather them close some parks than take away music, art, PE, and sports from the schools.

[Rick Sheerin]

There's 19 Florida parks on the chopping block as of October 2008. Won't know until March what actually gets cut.

I think I'd rather them close some parks than take away music, art, PE, and sports from the schools.

And what happens when all the parks are closed?

[devigata]

And what happens when all the parks are closed?

I know, RIGHT???

Maybe the parks will return to an even more natural state.

[len19070]

They went through this last year in New Jersey.

Made all the papers, TV yada yada yada. Had rallies and so on.

Then some bone head in Trenton finally got it!:thinking:

Hey! These parks aren't at all like buildings, you can't just shut off the lights, lock the front door and walk away. They still have to staff and maintain them.

The only things they were going to close were the Cash registers.

We ain't savin' any money here! We're just gettin Voters "ticked off" at us.

During our "Save Parvin" (Parvin State Park) campaign I saw a report from a NJ State agency that showed that County, State & National Park use Increases during hard economic times. DUH

Camping is still a bargain. And right now "I'm lookin' for Bargains"

If the States really want to save some money how about they take away a few Paid holidays, the ones that only they get.....Flag Day comes to mind.

(with out looking, and if you don't get the day off...what date is flag day?)

Happy Trails

Len

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Len wrote: "Camping is still a bargain". And right now "I'm lookin' for Bargains"

True words Len!

In the early-mid fifties when my parents took us on camping trips; many people were spending "the big bucks" on much more lavish vacations.
Times are changing again and the relative expense of camping is once again more attractive. Not only do we get back (closer) to nature but there are still many sites to see and knowledge to instill in the kids.

The older I get, the more I realize what I learned in those "camping vacations".

We are the "lucky ones" since we've already discovered the joys of Teardropping.

Others will figure it out and wonder what they missed all these years.

[mk10108]

Hey Kurt.. what do you think of those newish peddle Kayaks? Have seen some amazing videos on youtube of the Hobie's...

http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/index.html

Kayaks are moving up our 'to buy list'. They demo them in Cornwall Ontario. We pass through there on the way to ADK land all the time, so want to check them out in the spring. Have you tried one?

On no.. I'm hijacking my own thread!

We have the Outback SUV and I like the peddle yak for the following reasons. 3 methods of propulsion. Peddle, paddle, wind. Talk about a full body work out. Casual speed of 3 miles be hour. Max speed about 4.5 -5 mph, however you'll only hold that for 1-2 minutes.







The SUV works for us because I'm 6'6" 260 lbs and the Mrs. is 190 at 6'2". We get the yaks in the water, after 10 -15 minutes. Lisa explores the shore line looking for a lunch spot, while I head off to fish.

[Rick Sheerin]

And what happens when all the parks are closed?

I know, RIGHT???

Maybe the parks will return to an even more natural state.

I don't know how your parks are in FL, but here in NY the state parks are left in a very natural state, no pads to park on, no electrical hook ups. Lenny's right, they'll close the cash registers, but they'll still need staff to maintain them for future use. Really doesn't make sense. And kids do need exposure to the great outdoors, just as much as they need to learn how to play a flute or paint a picture. It's a little thing called inspiration.