Economic crisis hits state campgrounds

February

The state Department of Environmental Conservation, in an effort to save money, is closing six campgrounds that it says do not attract a lot of campers. Read more after the break.

News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

DEC Announces Closure of Six Campgrounds for 2009

Sparse Occupancy at Targeted Facilities

ALBANY, NY (02/20/2009; 1525)(readMedia)—New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced that in response to the continuing fiscal crisis, six campgrounds with very low occupancy rates in the Adirondack Park and Catskill Park will not open in 2009.

“As Governor Paterson has made clear, New York is facing a large budget deficit and must make many hard choices,” Commissioner Grannis said. “Closing these facilities for the 2009 season is one such hard choice, but is one that is necessary in these tough economic times.”

The six facilities slated for closure are:
—Poke-O-Moonshine, Essex County, Town of Keesville (Adirondacks).
—Sharp Bridge, Essex County, Town of North Hudson (Adirondacks).
—Point Comfort, Hamilton County, Town of Piseco (Adirondacks).
—Tioga Point, Hamilton County, Town of Raquette Lake (Adirondacks).
—Beaverkill, Sullivan County, Town of Roscoe (Catskills).
—Bear Spring Mountain, Delaware County, Town of Walton (Catskills).

These facilities were selected based upon sparse use over the previous years – often the camps had an occupancy rate 20 percent or less. Poke-O-Moonshine had an occupancy rate of 8 percent or less the last two years.

Individuals who have already made camping reservations for the 2009 season will be contacted by ReserveAmerica, who manages the campground reservation system. They will be provided assistance with making alternative camping reservations. All of the targeted campgrounds have other DEC campgrounds nearby. Alternate campgrounds include: Ausable Point, Lincoln Pond, Little Sand Point, Poplar Point, Golden Beach, Brown Tract Pond and Little Pond. Because of the usual turnover of campground staff there will be no layoffs. Staff who worked at these campgrounds last year will be re-assigned to other campgrounds in the area.

DEC is responsible for managing 52 campgrounds and 7 day-use areas in New York’s Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 20th, 2009 at 4:52 pm by Mike Risinit.
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