Possibility Of Five Rensselaer County State Parks Closing

by Bea Peterson
There are 179 Parks and 36 Historic Sites in New York State. NYS budget rumors have five State sites closing in Rensselaer County. They are Grafton Lakes State Park, Cherry Plain State Park, Schodack Island State Park, the Bennington Battlefield and Fort Crailo. There is swimming and canoeing at both Grafton and Cherry Plain. Grafton is open year around and has over 20 miles of trails suitable for walking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Cherry Plain, which is open in the summer offers hiking and camping. Schodack has a boat launch on the Hudson River. The Bennington Battlefield in Walloomsac is the site of a turning point battle of the Revolutionary War, and Fort Crailo is a fortified stockade in Rensselaer where it is reputed the song “Yankee Doodle” was written during the Revolutionary War era.
Three of the five sites are in Eastern Rensselaer County. According to Bob Kuhn of the Saratoga Office 185,948 people visited Grafton Lakes State Park this past year. That includes 1,800 who recently attended the Park’s 25th Annual Winterfest. Cherry Plain State Park had 27,155 visitors during its shortened summer season. The camping sites added to Cherry Plain a few years ago have been filled since they opened. Last summer the beach at Grafton was closed Wednesday and Thursday and the beach at Cherry Plain was closed Monday and Tuesday. Cherry Plain also opened later and closed earlier. Fifteen thousand, three hundred and ninety-three people visited the Bennington Battlefield from May to October last year. Interest in the site has increased in recent years because of the outstanding efforts of the Town of Hoosick and the Vintage Voices in hosting programs and summer camps at the Barnett House. Only a few years ago the State purchased more land off Cottrell Road that was a part of that long ago battle.
According to a press release from the Republican majority in the Rensselaer County Legislature, members of the Legislature are concerned about the possibility of closures of State parks in the County. They believe the closures would be unfair to county and upstate residents. “This would be the wrong move for New York State, because State parks represent a fun and affordable recreation choice for upstate families. During tough economic times, like we are having now, having an inexpensive place to go and get away means a lot,” said Legislator Mike Stammel.
Legislators also argued the closures would produce relatively little in savings. The temporary shutdowns of the three State Parks in 2009 only produced a savings in the tens of thousands of dollars. “In terms of the hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars spent by New York State, closing these three parks would produce only a miniscule savings,” said Legislator Alex Shannon.
Under the proposed State budget, the parks could be closed permanently later this year. The possible permanent closures would be a blow to the County and the many residents who regularly use these parks, said legislators.
A spokesperson for State Parks in Albany said on Wednesday, “Rumors is the operative word here. There is no final word on any Parks closing.” When asked if the Parks would be maintained at all or would simply deteriorate once they were closed, he responded, “It’s not fair to say what will happen.” He said the State is facing a financial crisis in all areas and the Office of Parks is in the process of looking at ways to cut its budget.
The proposed State budget would have the effect of reducing funding for the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation by 40 percent.
“These parks have been part of the lives of Rensselaer County residents for generations and closing them would be tragic,” said Legislator Lester Goodermote who represents District 5. He said Rensselaer County is taking one of the biggest hits. “We have talked with [NYS State Senator] Roy McDonald, and we’ve approached the State Legislature,” he said. “We’re not talking a lot of money,” he added. Goodermote assumes the State would continue to maintain the properties, but whatever happens, he said he will keep his constituents abreast of any proposals.
Following the partial closures last year, the County joined with the Town of Schodack and area residents to help keep Schodack Island State Park open.