A Day at the Park

Today I met up with my friend Nicole and her two children to walk around Caleb Smith State Park Preserve here in Smithtown. With the temperatures hanging around the 50s, it was a perfect day to explore the park, and with it slated to close on April 1, it was an opportunity we couldn’t miss.

As most of you know, there are many New York Parks that may close on April 1 and others where services will be reduced. There are some numbers being quoted regarding how much it costs to run each park and the money taken in. However with Caleb Smith just completing the renovations of the Nature Museum at the end of 2009, the numbers for this park aren’t a true reflection of the money it can bring in an average year.

I’ve been a member of the Friends of Caleb Smith State Park Preserve for a few years now, and I’ve witnessed the members raise money through membership, events, grants and sponsorships to help with the museum's renovation. Now all this money will just be flushed down the drain, including our tax money. New York state workers have been paid to work on the museum and materials have been bought. The museum looks great with its nature themed rooms, interactive exhibits and a medallion of Chief Wyandach restored to its rightful place over the fireplace mantel. If the budget cuts are approved, the gates will be closed. There will be no educational moments in the museum, no walks in the fresh air along the trails and no fishing. There will be one less escape from the traffic and hectic days of Long Island.

Last week Nicole and I attended a rally at Hecksher State Park that was organized by Suffolk County legislator Wayne Horsley. The event was attended by hundreds of park goers, New York State employees and local politicians. Nicole and I were also very happy to see Michael J. Fitzpatrick the assemblyman from our district who has been very helpful with the museum at Caleb Smith. Seeing so many people voicing their opinions and politicians listening to their constituents was definitely inspiring.

However, the Friends meeting this past Wednesday was not as promising as the rally. Basically everything is on hold until April 1. As a matter of fact, an event with a professional fly fisherman had to be canceled due to the money we would have lost if we canceled closer to the event. It’s difficult to imagine this park being completely closed to the public. And this is coming from someone who isn’t actually a nature girl, but I believe everyone needs to connect with nature every once in awhile.

Of course, there are still things we all can do. We can sign the online petitions, and we can write our state representatives. I have posted some links below, because if you visit our state parks and you vote, your voice should be heard!

http://www.nynjtc.org/issue/new-york-budget-proposals-would-close-some-state-parks

http://www.ourstatepark.com/

http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/join-fight-save-our-parks