Update on Long Island Park Closures...Update

So since Friday my Facebook Page to raise awareness and to get people to call, email, and write to stop this closures has grown to over 200 fans. Doesn't seem like a lot but it is.

I was just contacted by the biggest Parks Advocacy Group in NY State and they want to join forces to fight this.

I am soo excited. This is huge!!

I am contacting the Campaign Head for Long Island this afternoon and we will be coming up with a plan of attack, other then calling and email your legislator, governor, assemblyperson, and the editors of the articles on the news and newspapers.

Please if you are on FB become a fan of
SAVE LONG ISLAND PARKS!!!

Even if you don't have a facebook account, you can still view the page and get all the links that you need to contact the people that are making these decisions.

Thank you so much!! We can't just sit back and let this happen because it will. And more parks can be added to the list as per a spokesperson for News 12.

I have become obsessed and I am sorry but we can't let this happen.



Update 2-15-10
I just spoke to the Herald and they are running a story.
Newsday is doing an Interview with me at Noon and then a photoshoot with the entire family at 3pm!! The word is spreading. Thank you all for being my fans

Message edited 2/15/2010 11:49:56 AM.

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...

This is great news! I hope you keep us all updated! Thank you!

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You're doing a fantastic job!
Thank you

I look forward to seeing what you come up with next.

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great job!!! I posted pics on the facebook page!
Have you tried to work with Richard Amper & The Pine Barrens Society?
He's very powerful in advocating for good, nature related causes!!

Message edited 2/14/2010 9:53:23 AM.

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I just became a fan. Thanks for organizing this

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you are doing a great job!!! keep it up!

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Posted by Smiles111

I just became a fan. Thanks for organizing this

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Thank you all!!

I emailed the Newsday Reporter that covered the Park Closings. I told him why I feel he shouldn't close them and about facebook.

He asked for my phone number to possibly do a story on our group!!

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...

Just became a fan!

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...

I just became a fan.

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Fan!

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...

just became a fan. Thanks for organizing

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Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...Update

Update at top...

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...Update

Great job Alison

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...Update

Posted by 5ofClubs

Update 2-15-10
I just spoke to the Herald and they are running a story.
Newsday is doing an Interview with me at Noon and then a photoshoot with the entire family at 3pm!! The word is spreading. Thank you all for being my fans

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...Update

Thanks so much for getting the word out. My extended family and I have been going to V.S. State park every Memorial Day weekend for over 50 years for a family reunion picnic. We secure the same spot every year - getting there at 5 am to get it and move the tables into a nice horseshoe. If the park closes, we will have to change locations, and it just won't be the same. I want my kids to have the memories that I do- I have only missed one picnic my entire life! (34 years!)

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...Update

Wow - you have over 400 now!!!

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...Update

I can't believe it but we are over 500 now. Thank you all so so much. The Parks mean so much to so many people and this is our Long Island. Don't let them board up our memories!

Check out Newsday tomorrow:) The article and photo is running in tomorrow's Newsday. I asked them to photoshop me to make me look skinny Hopefully the pic is just of the kids

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...Update

can someone post the actual article, not the link?

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...Update

I became a fan! Keep up the good work!!!

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...Update

LIers organize to keep area state parks open
February 15, 2010 By BILL BLEYER [email protected]

As Long Islanders begin organizing to save state parks targeted for potential closing, the chairman of the State Assembly's parks committee has threatened to invoke rarely used subpoena power to get officials to release a list of threatened facilities.

On Thursday, Newsday revealed a list of 10 Nassau and Suffolk sites that park sources said might be shut by summer if the governor's proposed budget isn't amended. Since then, three groups have been created on Facebook to lobby against any closings by the parks agency.

CSEA Local 102, which represents parks workers, and parks advocacy groups are also gearing up for campaigns to lobby legislators who must approve the budget.

The parks department faces a $29-million budget cut as Gov. David A. Paterson tries to close a more than $8-billion budget deficit. The reduction represents 16 percent of the current department budget.

Paterson's office and the parks department have denied that a list of potential park closings has been drawn up. Even as they said such a list does not exist, they would not deny that the 10 parks are being considered for closing.

"I don't buy that," said Assemb. Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) of the assertion that there is no list. The chairman of the tourism and parks committee wrote parks Commissioner Carol Ash on Friday to demand a list of endangered parks. He threatened to use his committee's subpoena power to get it and said officials "are stonewalling" to avoid a backlash.

In an interview, he said the tactic isn't working, citing the dozen calls from constituents his office has received since Friday. "The budget process is moving rapidly and the public has a right to know what is being planned," he said.

Eileen Larrabee, spokeswoman for the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, said Monday, "We are completing a thorough analysis of our 178 parks and 35 historic sites. Any speculation on the state's action prior to completing that analysis could be misleading."

State Sen. Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson), who said his office has gotten about a half-dozen calls from constituents, has asked the staff of the Finance Committee, of which he is a member, to review the parks budget to find savings such as cutting use of consultants and reducing top management. He called the threat to close parks a tactic to "get the legislature to restore money."

But Robin Dropkin, executive director of Parks & Trails New York, an Albany-based advocacy group, said her organization is planning to lobby legislators because "parks has been a lean agency for several decades now; 85 percent of the budget goes to on-the-ground operations."

Allison Lyons of Malverne has formed a "Save Long Island Parks" group on Facebook that has attracted more than 500 fans since Friday. "We can't just sit back and let this happen," she said. "I've been going to state parks my entire life."

The two other Facebook groups that have been formed are "Stop The Closing Of Our State Parks!!" with more than 250 fans as of Monday evening and "Save the New York State Parks Summer and Winter Run Series!" with more than 170 fans.

The threat to state parks

The state operates 178 parks and 35 historic sites, and parks sources say more than 100 of them could be shut statewide - 10 of them on Long Island.

State Parks spokeswoman Eileen Larrabee said if closings become necessary, such factors as attendance, revenues and whether similar facilities are available at nearby parks would be considered.

Parks sources said decisions would be based on a combination of:

Geography. Would closings leave a geographic balance of parks?

Cultural diversity. Is it a park that serves a specific cultural or ethnic group?

Legal constraints. Are concession contracts in place?

Economics. Is there a private group that helps support the facility? And, most important, how much revenue does a park lose per visitor?

- Bill Bleyer

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...Update

Also the Malverne/West Hempstead Herald is looking for any letters from Long Islander's.

This is her contact information:
Lee Landor
Editor, Malverne-West Hempstead Herald
[email protected]
(516) 569-4000 ext. 205

I also did an interview with CBS Radio this morning. They some how got my number and did an on air interview.

Thank you all so much again for supporting our Parks!

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...Update

WCBS Interview

Re: Update on Long Island Park Closures...Update