Community rallies to save state parks

EAST AURORA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A citizens movement to save dozens of state parks moved to Knox Farm in East Aurora on Sunday.

For the second time in two days, taxpayers rallied together to save the state parks in their neighborhood.

This time in East Aurora.

Nearly 500 people were out just a few hours ago to protest the Governor's plan to close parks.

Kateri Ewing said, "We decided to have a walk in the park for our community and the main reason that we did that was to show how many people love and support our state parks here in New York."

Knox Farm State Park is on a list of 41 parks Governor Paterson plans to shut down.

He said it would help reduce the state's massive budget deficit of $8.2 billion.

The growing deficit in New York is a continuous problem.

But many taxpayers don't think closing state parks is the solution.

"It's something that belongs to the citizens of New York. And you know we can't just let that go," Kateri explained.

Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers told News 4 the savings would only comprise a small portion of the overall deficit.

Others said you can't put a price on nature and an asset available to everyone in the community.

Elizabeth Koch exclaimed, "I used to come here as a teenager and ride my horses through here, walk my ponies here."

Elizabeth Koch still comes to the park. Only now, she brings her granddaughter.

The Knox Park is 633 acres.

It was sold to the state in 1999 and since then, it's become a prime destination for families, nature lovers, and others.

So much so that the Village and Town Boards have drafted a joint resolution to send to Albany.

East Aurora Mayor, Clark Crook said, "We're willing to work in a cooperative way with the state to find creative solutions to keep the park open."