Article: Perilous time for parks

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Matt
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'More difficult times' forcasted for State Parks system
GRAND ISLAND — Still struggling to cope daily with the budget crunch, a shrinking permanent work force and stalled projects, the regional state parks commission faces even more difficult times in 2011.

“We’re in a real difficult time, and it’s getting more difficult to keep our operations going,” Mark Thomas, western district director for the parks commission, said during a meeting of the seven-member commission Wednesday at the Beaver Island State Park administration office.

Thomas noted the regional parks agency is down 20 percent in its permanent staff compared with 2008, with [e]more cutbacks anticipated.[/e]

With winter and the traditionally “slow tourist season” in the offing, Thomas added, the present force should be stabilized.

When spring arrives, however, the commission will inevitably face another round of budget problems, short staff situations and the frustrating waves of uncertainty.
more here...
http://niagara-gazette.com/local/x13271 ... rks-system
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What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us. ~Henry David Thoreau
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Matt
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interesting quote in the report about Niagara Reservation State Park
the historic
Goat Island Bridge, closed to all but foot traffic since 2004,
needs to be rebuilt at an estimated cost of $25 million.
In that year a chunk of the bridge the size of a car fell into
the Niagara River
and a temporary bridge was built to hold
up the structure. Since then what had been a welcoming
attraction at the park has become a detraction.
:shock:
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cbobcat49
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nice!
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cbobcat49
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I've been to Woodlawn only once. I've been meaning to get back there. I'm usually only near it when driving along route 5 on my way to somewhere else.
What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us. ~Henry David Thoreau
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State parks in peril


Millions needed for upgrades, but little funding is available
WATKINS GLEN -- Louis Boisner once worked with a conservation group developing park trails in Vermont, so he appreciates the effort and money it takes to maintain parks.

Boisner, who hiked the gorge trail at Watkins Glen State Park with his family last week, wasn't surprised to learn that New York is looking at millions of dollars worth of needed work at Watkins Glen and other state parks.

Boisner also knows the state doesn't have that kind of money.

"It always needs constant maintenance because nature will move on without us," said Boisner, an architect who lives in Syracuse. "I understand we have to pick our priorities. I know the ultimate concern is health and safety. I think they did a lot of work here. If we are going to access it and keep it safe, we are going to have to invest more."

The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is aware of the needs at Watkins Glen and the other 212 parks and historic sites it operates.
The rest here:
http://www.stargazette.com/article/2011 ... y=nav|head
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