Possible Closing of Long Point State Park

[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

[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....

[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.