Parks back open in time for holiday

NEW YORK (WIVB) - Joe Davis State Park is one of dozens of parks now open just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

One of the reasons lawmakers moved so quickly to re-open parks is because they were getting bombarded with complaints from voters. But you wouldn't know it by looking around the parks on Saturday.

Picnic tables were empty.

Steven Kovacik is one of only seven people News 4 came across Saturday afternoon.

"All the parks being closed, that was a crazy thought. I just didn't like that idea, you know and if they're gonna cut the budget on that I was like, well maybe I should leave the area," he remarked.

The Knapp family came shortly after.

Melissa Knapp said, "We're really happy parks have re-opened because the kids can come out and play frisbee golf, and they really enjoy it."

State Park officials still have a lot of work to do.

The lawn here remains unmowed. Bathrooms are still locked. People will have to rely on port o' johns for now.

Governor Paterson said lawmakers have set aside $11 million for parks.

Money that will be available, in part because of a reduction in the Environmental Protection Fund.

But $4 million will come from taxes and higher fees on businesses.

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Despite protests from Republicans, they still voted to pass the bill along with Democrats.

"More taxes and fees for the businesses themselves? That doesn't sound very fair."

"If that's what we need to do to keep them open, sounds good!"

The new fees will be imposed on companies that produce hazardous waste and on companies that manufacture electronic components.