Your favorite State Park may close soon

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Could your favorite park now be sacrificed because of the state's financial shortfall?

The Govenor announced this proposal that some of the State Parks like Letchworth would not be affected, but there is a list of others that would.

Allegany State Park would close the Quaker cabins and Quaker Beach starting December 1st, Long Point Park would close, and so would Hamlin Beach, and Oak Orchard. Joseph Davis State Park, and Knox Farm would close, Niagara Falls State Park would see reduced programs, while Wilson-Tuscarora and Woodlawn Beach would close altogether.

Buffalo resident Josephine Nunez commented, "We go to Allegany every summer. Without that, what will these kids do? There's not enough for them to do as it is."

So how was it determined which parks would close and which wouldn't?

Eilleen Larribee of NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation said, "Among the factors considered were operating costs."

The proposed closures would save about $6 million out of a state budget deficit of $8 billion.

"$8 billion, so, I just hope they don't start cutting education. That's what I object to," said Buffalo resident Greg Harvery.

Senator George Maziarz says it may sound severe, but these proposals might stick.

"It just seems to me that State Parks have to prepare months in advance to start closing these and I'm not sure if they're gonna stay open," said Maziarz.

State Legislators have about six weeks to make changes to this proposal and Senator Maziarz has a plan for saving at least one of the Parks along Lake Ontario.