Ridge park may close before it officially opens
Budget crunch could mean doomsday for troubled Brookhaven State Park
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A local state park could close before it even officially opens thanks to a 12 percent parks and recreation reduction proposed in Gov. David Paterson's budget.
Brookhaven State Park, located on the east side of William Floyd Parkway near Whiskey Road in Ridge, was acquired by the state in the 1970s from Brookhaven National Laboratory. Due to the financial crisis of that decade, the state pulled the park's funding. Over the years, local residents noted that it became a dumping ground for abandoned cars and a haven for ATV riders.
James Mesenbourg, the park's manager, said that in the past five years the state has taken the initiative to clean up the park and make it safe for the public.
"We've come so far," said Mr. Mesenbourg, who has worked in parks for 25 years. "Since July 4, it has been incredible to see how many people have come down here."
While a new sign has been placed at the entrance, which maps out the 1,638-acre property and the Brookhaven Trail, legislators are trying to figure out how to handle the state's 2010-11 budget proposal, which includes a $33 million reduction for the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
"With the budget crunch, it's going to be difficult because the monies will go to those parks that are up and running," said state Senator Ken LaValle (R-Port Jefferson). "We'd want to walk away from a place where there's currently minimal service and I think Brookhaven would fall in that category."
"I'm hopeful that we don't we don't have to close any parks," said Assemblyman Marc Alessi (D-Shoreham). He added that his most enjoyable experiences growing up on Long Island were spending time at local parks and beaches.
"People need a place to be with their families and get away -- even when they are close to home," he said. "But because we are in the worst economic crisis since the 1930s, we have to look at making certain decisions, such as closing either a passive park or an emergency room."
Shawn McConnell, a director at Parks and Trails New York, an advocacy group for parklands across the state, wants the state to release information before the budget vote about how many parks -- and which ones -- it wants to close and how those closures would affect the communities around them.
"Legislators need to know exactly what the repercussions of their vote will be," he said. "People can't afford to take their vacations far away, so they are going to local parks and camping."
Mr. LaValle agreed. "It is certainly not a good thing to be walking away from recreational opportunities in a down economy, when people want to stay closer to home," he said. Mr. LaValle said the state Senate will be looking at ways to restore funds to parks and education.
Community members say they don't want to see the park closed.
"We fought very hard to get that park open," said Ridge Civic Association president Chris Sosik. "It would be a shame to see it go back into hibernation due to the budget."
Marie Moosmueller of Manorville said she enjoys walking along the trails and appreciates that they are litter-free. "It's a beautiful park," she said. "They just went through the trouble of making that new sign and marking all of the trails."
jennifer@northshoresun.com
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