Chautauqua Town of Ellery may try leasing Long Point State Park

ELLERY - Ellery Town Board members would like to "explore the possibility of leasing" Long Point State Park from the state in hopes of keeping it open.

Long Point is on a list of state parks slated for closure as a way to help fix the state's fiscal crisis. The list is being debated as part of state budget deliberations.

The idea of the park closing, however, is "unacceptable" to the town's officials.

"This short-sighted action by the state of New York would have serious consequences to the economic interest of the town's citizens together with depriving thousands of people of the wonderful recreational opportunities afforded by Long Point State Park," said Town Supervisor Arden Johnson. For instance, he said, people stop at town businesses during a fishing derby held at the park. If the park was closed, however, he said, it would negatively impact the town and county's economy.

Johnson said he was directed by the Town Board to contact state officials to inquire about the possibility of the town operating the park.

"Once again, those who have a responsibility to manage the affairs of New York state have shown they are incapable of performing the duties they are entrusted to carry out," he said, adding in order to prevent "the severe consequences" of park closure, the Town Board expressed its willingness to explore the possibility of leasing the park from the state.

Johnson said the town has "a proven track record" of park operation due to its success with the Town of Ellery Park on Route 430.

"While Long Point State Park is certainly a much larger operation than our town park, we believe that similar operational principles could be applied to achieving a successful park operation," he said.

"We know how to run a park and feel confident that we could run Long Point," Johnson said.

He was directed by the Town Board to contact state Sen. Catharine Young and Assemblyman William Parment to inquire about the possibility of operating the park. "I commend the town for wanting to step up," said Sen. Young. She said first, she wants to wait and see what happens in final state budget talks to see if park closure remains the plan. If so, she said, negotiations between the town and state would have to commence.

"I would be willing to facilitate (the talks)," she said, adding it is difficult to predict whether park closure will be part of the final state spending plan. If necessary, she said she would be willing to "look at this as a solution."

"It's an idea that would deserve exploration," said Assemblyman Parment. He said he welcomes the town's effort and is convinced there are ways to keep the park open.

"It's a destination and part of activity that goes on in the town," said Parment. He said he is unsure how the town's leasing of the park could be accomplished but would be interested at looking into that. Parment said he would be happy to work with Johnson but is also continuing work on the state budget and whether the park closure continues to be part of the fiscal plan.

"We would pursue it on parallel tracks," he said about the budget work and discussions with the town so an alternative approach to keep the park open can be examined while budget work continues.

"It sounds perfectly logical to me," he said about the town leasing the park.

Parment said if budget constraints could be met and the park could remain open, "I'd be all for it."

"If the state won't open it, certainly we would like to take a look at it," said Johnson.

Almost all communities with a park slated for closure in their midst have made similar offers, said Angela Berti, spokesperson for the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. She said such offers are being looked into by state parks officials.

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