State Budget Cuts could close Fahnestock State Park

For the second year running, Governor Paterson's proposed budget slashes funding for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. At least 55 state parks and historic sites are targeted to close if the Governor’s Executive Budget is enacted. Twenty-two (22) more facilities face severely reduced hours and services.  

The bad news does not stop here, however. A second list released to the Legislature details another 34 state parks and sites, including Fahnestock, that may also close. (Both lists are available at the Parks and Trails NY website - www.ptny.org.) Reinstating $11 million to the agency’s budget would allow OPHHP to keep all 89 parks and sites open.

If Governor Paterson's proposed budget is passed, Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park will likely close and you will not be able to swim, ride, camp, hunt, fish, or boat there. 

Friends of Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands State Parks is asking for your help in fighting these drastic cuts. Please take these simple steps: 

1) Contact your assemblymen and senator and ask them to restore OPRHP’s funding to avoid drastic cuts and closures. To find out your local assemblymen and senator, go to http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem and www.nysenate.gov . 

2) Contact State Senator Vincent Leibell at (518) 455-3111, (845) 279-3773, orleibell@senate.state.ny.us. Fahnestock is in Senator Leibell’s district. Ask him to restorefunding to the OPRHP budget to keep these two parks open. 

State parks serve all New Yorkers and attendance at parks is at record high levels. Now, more than ever, our parks are our playgrounds, escapes, and vacation destinations. Please help us keep Fahnestock and the other New York State parks open.