Long Islanders rally to save parks from closing

Members of a Long Island state parks advisory committee Wednesday pledged to look for ways to keep budget cuts from closing facilities.

Meanwhile, other park supporters have scheduled rallies for Sunday at Brentwood State Park and the following Saturday at Heckscher State Park to oppose any closings.

Newsday reported last week that up to 10 Long Island parks could be closed to help offset the $29-million reduction proposed by the governor for the state parks budget.

While the department contends there is not even a tentative list of potential closings, commission members Wednesday still voiced concerns.

"We can't just let this happen without doing something," said Herbert Balin, chairman of the Long Island State Park, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commission. "In the economy that we have presently, people can't afford to go away" so they rely more than ever on the parks.

Meeting at Belmont Lake State Park, commission members discussed seeking corporate sponsorships to keep open parks, seeking a longer season in which fees are collected and holding a summit with the Island's legislative delegation.

But in the end, the commission - whose members are appointed by the governor and have no authority over park operations other than the Jones Beach Theater - decided to wait for more definitive information on cuts before acting. Parks regional director Ronald Foley said it should be available within two weeks.

Commission member Bernadette Castro, the previous state parks commissioner, said "there may be a private sector partner out there" willing to provide funds to keep a park open. She added that closing parks would be counterproductive because "you're going to lose revenue" and still have to spend money for maintenance and security.

As for raising the beach park admission fee from $8 to $10, as park sources told Newsday the department is planning to do, Castro said, "I think it's way over the top." But Balin said, "I have no problem raising it to 10 bucks a car" if it keeps parks open.

Castro suggested extending the season in which the department charges for beach admission. Foley said the department did that last year and further extension would not cover additional staff costs.

At noon Sunday, state Sen. Brian Foley (D-Brookhaven) and the Brentwood Soccer Club are sponsoring a rally at Brentwood State Park to try to save that facility, which park sources have told Newsday is one of the parks being considered for closure.

At 11 a.m. the following Saturday, Suffolk County Legis. Wayne Horsley, who worked for state parks for 19 years, is sponsoring a Save Our Parks Rally at Field 1 at Heckscher, which also is on the potential closing list.

With Nissequogue River State Park also on the list, park supporter Linda Henninger is organizing a petition drive at theparkadvocate.com/sopp.html.