Published: January 09, 2008 11:13 pm      

STATE OF STATE: $100M pledged for state parks

The deteriorating state parks system including its tarnished jewel at Niagara Falls will be vastly improved under a $100-million capital spending proposal that Gov. Spitzer unveiled Wednesday.

“New York state once led the nation, creating America’s first network of state parks,” Spitzer said during his State of the State message in Albany. “A peaceful park is not just a place for a picnic, it is an economic asset. It draws families and business to communities.”

The specific amounts designated for the 10 park regions across the state will not be disclosed until Spitzer presents his annual budget message later in the month.

Noting the capital spending plan is the largest investment (in the parks department) in history, State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash said: “We took the message to the governor that we had identified a backlog of capital projects exceeding $650 million and he listened.

“This, of course, would mean jobs, with the infusion of those funds to implement the projects. And that’s important, to create jobs in the tourist industry too.”

Ash and her staff have been traveling across the state to spread the word about the critical need to protect the stewardship of the parks.

“We’re thrilled by the proposal,” said Mark Thomas, western district for the Albany-based Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. In addition to the Niagara area, Thomas also is responsible for the Genesee and Allegany state park regions.

“This (Niagara) region is important to the overall system and I’m sure we’ll receive a significant amount of funds for those projects,” Thomas said.

Thomas noted the funds — a proposal at this stage — would be earmarked for wide-ranging improvements including road paving within parks and upgrading sewer, water and electrical lines. Among other capital needs are investments for new facilities that have been acquired over the past decade. They range from drinking water supply systems and bridge repairs to improved parking areas, restrooms and picnic grounds.

Park officials here and in other regions agree that the system has suffered from years of underfunding.

“That’s great news, the governor’s proposal,” said Bob Emerson, executive director of the Old Fort Niagara Association. He said the association had submitted a list to the state parks officials, outlining some of the major needs for improving the infrastructure at the landmark attraction.

At present, the State Parks Department is responsible for operating a network that includes 213 state parks and historic sites encompassing 325,000 acres of protected lands and waters.

The agency is staffed by 2,240 permanent employees and more than 5,000 seasonal positions with an operating budget of nearly $260 million.