These are tough times in our State & Nation with regards to our economy. We have to make difficult decisions and set priorities. Many of our State Parks may be closed because of budget problems in NYS.
Recently at the Empire State Tourism Conference in Albany some significant facts were brought out:
Tourism is the #1 industry in NYS.
One dollar spent on tourism promotion will return seven to ten dollars on average.
There were two million more visitors to NYS parks in 2009 than there were in 2008.
The Finger Lakes Trail goes through or near MANY of our NYS Parks. Many of the campers in our parks are hiking trails in the parks.
Draw your own conclusions, and if you feel so inclined, contact your local Assemblyman and/or State Senator. The link below gives you some of the details of the proposed closings and reductions.
Paraphrased from an appeal sent out be Gene Bavis, Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference 2/25/10