Possible Closing of Long Point State Park

[RangerBT]

The local newspaper reports that NYS may close Long Point State Park this year along with many others in the state. This is not final and also does not say if this means there will no access to launch or just means nothing maintained. Well done NYS!!!

[870Boy]

Can't keep taxing and spending...something has to be cut. Too bad they can't cut the welfare programs. They ought to sell Long Point, Midway and the Cheney property, just my opinion.

[Game Hog]

Now what would that solve. I say we should cut the well fare !!!

[Gilligan]

Tell me Long Point isnt a money making facility for NY? Pay a couple college kids minimum wage to collect fees, on a summer day they probably see 100 launch fees. How many seasonal slips do they rent at $500+ a season? Got to be close to 100 boats slipped there in the summer. Close that launch the other launches will be so swamped you won't ever get on the lake.

[mikeymjr23]

Doctari was discussing this with Game Hog and I a bit yesterday morning...they are definitely going to lose more than they save...idiots.

[John Lorenzo]

as long as they don't close the launch it won't bother me, but I agree it is a real real shame, why is it that places like that don't get the use they did 15-20 yrs ago?

[lovetoshoot]

as long as they don't close the launch it won't bother me, but I agree it is a real real shame, why is it that places like that don't get the use they did 15-20 yrs ago?

I was never there 15 years ago, but the property and the launch sure seemed to be busy every time I've been there the last couple of years.

[mikeymjr23]

John, as sad as it sounds, you would be SHOCKED at how many folks that live IN jamestown area have NO idea what Long Point even is...

That is why it doesn't get the same use...its disgusting.

[RangerBT]

This was a few years ago but at that time a parks manager had told me that Long Point was one of the most underutilized parks in the state. During the weekdays in the summer maybe 1/2 doz trailers are in the parking ramp and you never see anyone on the beach side. I just hope they allow us to use the ramp. But then there will be no one to empty garbage cans if they even have any. Plus, what about the guy who is leasing the store, is he out? Randy

[hunterdeneugene]

hopefully this will save the state enough money so that we can buy more cell phones for the welfare recipients...

[Snookman]

Hate to see this type of thing happen. Maybe the County could take it over?

[phlstr119]

The Governer is an Idiot! He has no real vision and this park closing idea is just another game he is playing. We all know that they will lose more money than they will save and in the end I am waiting for him to come out with a message that since the public wants to keep the parks open so much taht we should create a new tax to save our parks that shouldn't need saving in the first place. I was thinking the other day if we just fired the goverment for a year and all just plugged along like normal we could jump right out of debt! Hmmmmmmm Albany or the Parks? Really not that hard a choice is it.

I mean when you look at things this is what I truly know about our Goverment. We have elected some many people to office to represent us that all that happens now is an ongoing battle to keep one side from doing anything that way next election we can cry that we can make changes that will never happen because the other side will be fighting against it. We have an ongoing civil war in our goverment and it starts with small local goverments and goes all the way to the top!

Randy, sorry to get a little off topic. I sure hope that Long Point can remain open it is a great park. Alleghany State Park should also not be on the cutting block. The problem is either way I know a lot of folks who did not register and pay for their normal summer vacations on cabins over this whole ordeal and that in itself will hurt this State Park.

How do we let a non-elected official create such a disruption, why do we allow things to go down hill, shouldn't we fire them, wouldn't you get the boot if you did such a poor job?

[phlstr119]

Maybe the answer is to turn the care and management of these parks over to other organizations or groups that could keep them up and running. To let a park sit closed is a crime and it will cost more to open in the end. There should be a way to keep them open to the public and yet managed by a group other than the State.

[doctariAFC]

This was a few years ago but at that time a parks manager had told me that Long Point was one of the most underutilized parks in the state. During the weekdays in the summer maybe 1/2 doz trailers are in the parking ramp and you never see anyone on the beach side. I just hope they allow us to use the ramp. But then there will be no one to empty garbage cans if they even have any. Plus, what about the guy who is leasing the store, is he out? Randy

Perhaps if a little bit of effort was put into actually promoting the tremendous outdoors recreational treasures that abound around this lake (not just fishing, or musky fishing, or bass fishing, but wildlife watching, too) then the utilization factor would be far different? Best launch on the lake, and they rent slips, too. What about that business? Fueling?? How about that, gonna have to hit Camp Chautauqua instead of Long Point?

This weekend while ice fishing I also saw other outdoors activities going on - like snowmobiling, cross country skiing, ice skaing and even a couple guys flying ultralight hang glider-looking aircraft.... Got the pics to prove it.

I've run some of the numbers, and it isn't about what the park takes in, solely. Its what the park offers - access, which brings the opportunity to drive some serious business in restaurants, stores, hotels, etc. All of those concerns generate tax revenue, and those private concerns also deliver income tax revenue through employing people. THAT is certainly something different than what LP generates, as even the park workers, paid by the state, pay no state income tax on their pay....

If he is trying to close a budget deficit, you do not accomplish this by shrinking your tax receipts, which is exactly what will happen....

[Mighty Mike]

they charge 7 bucks to get into long point. parks should be free. my taxes paid for them. maybe the politicians should take a pay cut.

mike

[Gilligan]

This was a few years ago but at that time a parks manager had told me that Long Point was one of the most underutilized parks in the state. During the weekdays in the summer maybe 1/2 doz trailers are in the parking ramp and you never see anyone on the beach side. I just hope they allow us to use the ramp. But then there will be no one to empty garbage cans if they even have any. Plus, what about the guy who is leasing the store, is he out? Randy

Randy...I think alot of boats launch that we never see a trailer for. People with summer homes staying at campgrounds or motels etc. I've often seen wait times of over an hour trying to get off the water, on weekdays.

[doctariAFC]

I have discovered that the closings of the parks mentioned are being done to save.... drumroll please...

$6.5 MILLION

Are you kidding me? If the state does this to "save" $6.5 Mil, they will lose close to $200 MIL, if not more, in tax revenue.

[hunterdeneugene]

I saw quoted in the paper today the county hunting and fishing rep......now it is definatley doomed.

[Pinch]

I just don't see where this place loses money. It has to be profitable. As previously mentioned, the boat slips bring in revenue and there is a gas pump, correct? It's not an amusement park burning electricity all day. Doesn't make sense. I have a buddy that goes to school at Cuse and he said the Govenor was there for an alumni hockey game - the crowd CRUSIFIED him when he spoke. Appropriate greeting in my book. This guy is a joke.

[fishinjohn]

You know there is not too many of these parks that they are going to close that don't make money. The govenor for sure is a MORON. Lets take a look at Allegany State Park on the Quaker Lake side which is one of the proposed parks to be shut down, does he really think this is a good idea. Have any of you tried to get a cabin at the park in the summertime?? Forget it, these two places quaker and red house get booked up so fast it's not even funny. Not to mention the newest cabins built have everything in them you can possibly imagine, from heat to air conditioning, and always booked. Quite often they have young high school kids working there to help maintain the grounds and to take money on the entrance fees. Its like jumping over a dollar to save a dime, it just doesn't make any sense!