Deal Keeps State Parks Open

For many, one of New City's best-kept secrets is High Tor State Park, with its woodlands and a public pool tucked away on a mountainside off South Mountain Road.

The secret, however, did not escape the red pen of state budget cut. But Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, D-New City, said today that a deal between Gov. David Paterson and the state Assembly and Senate will fund the environmental portion of the budget and prevent park closures. 

The bill was voted on by the Assembly early this morning after weeks of negotiations.  Throughout New York 58 State Parks will reopen and an additional 33 will be spared.  Several Rockland Parks were threatened including the High Tor, services at Rockland Lake, Tallman Mountain, and the Stony Point Battlefield. 

"Our State Parks are an affordable escape for New York families," said Zebrowski. "Last year alone, park attendance was up by almost 2 million to about 56 million visitors, a sharp increase and an all-time high. But beyond economics, this is about morale as well.  The parks made it through the Great Depression and it would be a symbolic travesty to close them now - at a time we need them the most."

Paterson's executive budget proposal in January included about 91 park closures and about 58 of them had already been closed.  Despite weeks of protest from Zebrowski and his colleagues, the Paterson insisted on the passage of much of his environmental budget in order to open the parks. 

"The Assembly's budget proposal for environmental programs was significantly different than the one we passed today," Zebrowski said. "However, I am committed to significant compromise in order to close this budget.  I am hopeful this agreement is a catalyst toward true compromise and a final budget."

In addition to its pool, High Tor State Park has picnicking facilities and is a popular spot for hiking, affording spectacular views of the Hudson River. The Long Path passes through the park just before the trail heads inland to the Catskills.