 "Photo: photos by Nick Chowske/Cardinal Points")
 "Photo: Nick Chowske/Cardinal Points")
A plan proposed by Gov. David Paterson Feb. 19 would close Point au Roche State Park in order to address the state’s deficit, affecting community recreation, education and business.
“The unfortunate reality of closing an $8.2 billion deficit is that there is less money available for many worthy services and programs,” Paterson said in a press release. “Spending cuts, however difficult, are needed in order to put New York on the road to fiscal recovery.”
The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation indicated in the plan that 41 state parks and 14 historical sites would close, while services would be reduced at one historic site and 23 parks across the state.
Dan Keefe, a spokesperson for the OPRHP, said Point au Roche attracts about 65,000 people annually but costs $105,000 to operate.
“Nobody wants to see their parks close,” he said. “It’s a decision as a result of economic recession.”
Friends of Point au Roche President Mary Simmers is one community member fighting to keep the park open.
“Point Au Roche is a uniquely ‘Mother-Nature’ designed park,” she said in an e-mail. “It has just about everything you would want in an outdoor experience.”
Simmers said Friends of Point au Roche is drafting a resolution to keep Point au Roche operational. The resolution cites recreation, education and land values, among others, as reasons to save the park.
Plattsburgh State students expressed mixed feelings about the proposed closure, some saying they wouldn’t be too upset without it.
Chris Bowies, a 21-year-old biology major, said he and his friends generally have barbeques at their apartments but spend little time off campus.
“I’ve honestly been here four years, and I’ve only been (to Point au Roche) once or twice, and that was for a
kayaking trip,” he said.
Other students said losing access to Point au Roche would have negative consequences on educational opportunities afforded them by the park.
Allison Waring, 20, is an expeditionary studies and environmental science double major and said she has been on field trips to the park before.
“We were on a kayaking trip, and there’s a certain campsite there where you’re allowed to stay if you’re in a human-powered watercraft,” she said. “I guess there are always other places we can go, but Point au Roche is nice because… it’s one of only two places in Clinton County where it’s an old-growth forest.”
Waring said she doesn’t want to see the park close.
“I just think, in general, we shouldn’t be sacrificing our state parks to save our state budget. I think there are other places where you can cut the excess fat.”
Local businesses would also like to see Point au Roche remain open, including the Point au Roche Lodge, an inn located near the park.
Owner Karen Billings said she estimates the park is responsible for drawing in approximately one quarter of her guests.
“I think it definitely entices guests,” she said. “I think they like the hiking trails.”
Billings said the idea is scary, and the closure of the park would probably affect her business negatively.
“I think it’s going to play some impact. As to how much, I’m unsure,” she said.
Billings said she notices many people take advantage of what the park has to offer.
“Every day at 5 there’s a stream of cars out there with people going to walk their dogs.”
If Point au Roche closes, Billings said she doesn’t know what her course of action might be.
“I haven’t gotten that far,” she said.
The budget will not be established until after April 1, and Keefe said public access in case of closure has not yet been determined.
But community members are not ready to let go of the park.
“I think this is where the community needs to come together and show New York that we’re not going to give up without a fight,” Billings said.
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