Letter to NY Governor Paterson Re: His Proposal to Cut State Park Budget by $29 Million

February 25, 2010

Honorable David Paterson
Governor of New York State
State Capital
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Paterson:

I am writing you as the chair of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, an organization of nearly 800 former National Park Service employees, regarding one of your proposals to resolve New York State’s current fiscal struggle. The New York State Parks and Historic Sites are some of your state’s greatest natural and heritage treasures, as well as economic engines for their associated communities. New York State lays claim to having established the nation’s very first State Park (Niagara Reservation, 1885) as well as the first State owned historical site (Washington’s Headquarters, 1850). The State Park system, established in 1924 by Governor Al Smith, was initially funded by a $15 million bond act that was voted into effect by the largest percentage of votes in your State’s history. It is apparent people love their parks and New York’s parks are among the best in the country.

Yet, your proposed Executive budget outlines cuts that will damage forever these immensely important landscapes and historic sites. The proposed cuts to the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) include a total of $29 million to their operating budget for SFY 2010-11. This cut, coupled with the various cuts and deficit reductions put in place the past three years, is not sustainable and will lead to State Parks and Historic Sites closing. OPRHP Commissioner Carol Ash has stated that her agency cannot take another cut without closing dozens of parks and historic sites across the State. Stewardship of these resources is a public trust that would be compromised by this proposal. If this happens, it will be the first time such an event has taken place in the State, including the Great Depression.

Coalition members understand the economic challenges with which the State and Nation are currently struggling. The vital role Parks and Historic Sites play in our nation’s collective psyche, however, can’t be overstated. The 20 National Park Service Sites and three National Heritage Areas in New York collaborate with state parks to provide a seamless heritage tourism experience for millions of visitors each year. It is this interconnectedness that causes us to write you. This budget proposal will certainly impact these collaborative programs offerings and educational opportunities

Recently, a study commissioned by Parks and Trails New York found that your State’s Parks and Historic Sites represent a benefit-to-cost ratio of more than 5-to-1, meaning that more than $5 of economic benefit is realized for every $1 that is invested into your Park system. This economic data, coupled with the ecological benefits that these sites provide to the quality of state’s drinking water, species diversity, habitat protection and the associated educational opportunities reinforce the need to meet park stewardship responsibilities. It is imperative that the State, as the steward of the people’s assets, protect and preserve these public recreational, cultural, and economic treasures during a time when they are needed most.

Sincerely,

Richard B. Smith
Chair, Coalition of National Park Service Retirees
4620 North Avenida Ronca
Tucson, AZ 85750
Tel: 520-529-7336