Officials brainstorm to keep LI parks open

Selling naming rights to state parks. New taxes. Operation by private concessionaires, nonprofit groups or other levels of government.

These are some of the ideas being floated by officials, legislators and parks advocates to keep parks and historic sites across New York afloat after Gov. David A. Paterson and state Parks Commissioner Carol Ash confirmed Friday that they planned to shut at least 55 sites - including six on Long Island - because of a $29-million budget cut for the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

PHOTOS: Find out which LI parks are threatened under the proposed cuts

The closing list could still be altered by the Legislature. But for now, those with an interest in parks are looking for ways to keep the parks open.

"We're willing to talk to anybody," said parks spokeswoman Eileen Larrabee.

Here are some of the ideas under discussion:

Selling naming rights and other corporate support:

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy has proposed letting corporations add their names to the names of state parks for a couple of years for a significant contribution. That's something the National Association of State Parks Directors said has never been done.

But even Bernadette Castro, a member of the Long Island State Park, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commission who as Ash's predecessor championed private-public partnerships, said Monday: "I would have a problem with naming a park after a corporation."

And Matthew Crosson, president of the Long Island Association, a business group, said, "Working against it would be the economy and the fact that ... the state last year raised taxes on business significantly."

But Linda Armyn, senior vice president for government affairs at Bethpage Federal Credit Union, which for seven years has sponsored the Memorial Day air show at Jones Beach, was open to the potential. "Bethpage would certainly consider discussing other sponsorship opportunities," she said.

Private operation by concessionaires:

Levy said a private company could run a park that loses money for the state more efficiently and make a profit by paying lower wages, charging higher fees, offering more services and placing advertising at the site.

Operation by nonprofit groups or other levels of government.

Larrabee said nonprofits and other levels of government are already running some parks and more agreements could be arranged in time to avert closings this year. Michael Vitti, president of Concerned Long Island Mountain Bicyclists, which has helped maintain Trail View State Park in Woodbury, said, "We offered state parks assistance to keep the park open by emptying trash cans and keeping the parking lot and trails clean."

New taxes:

Al Caccese, executive director of the environmental group Audubon New York, said a proposed "obesity tax" on sugared drinks could provide money to keep parks open. But the governor has the revenue earmarked for other purposes.

PHOTOS: Find out which LI parks are threatened under the proposed cuts