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PLATTSBURGH — Mary Simmers spent her summers growing up at the children's camps on Point au Roche.
As the daughter of one of the camp leaders, Simmers remembers those summers as special seasons filled with fun, excitement and education for boys and girls at camps Red Cloud and Red Wing.
Now, more than 50 years after her parents brought her here as an infant during the summer of 1947, Simmers still feels a deep bond with Point au Roche.
She and many others are upset that the state has proposed closing Point au Roche Park — along with Macomb Park in Schuyler Falls and John Brown Farm near Lake Placid — as a money-saving move.
WHAT'S AHEAD?
As a member of the Friends of Point au Roche and a dedicated participant in the annual reunions still being held by camp alumni, Simmer's attention now focuses on the future of Point au Roche State Park.
"At this point, the state is saying the park is going to close. What we want to know is what's going to happen out there now? I'm pretty sure there will be no swimming, but people are going to continue hiking out there.
"What are they (the state) going to do? Will there be any mowing? Toilet facilities? Moorings out in the bay?"
TOUGH DECISIONS
With a state budget deficit in the billions of dollars, Gov. David Paterson has targeted a number of parks across the state for closure. Officials have already begun preparing for the closures, including the refund of online campsite reservations for this summer at Macomb and other sites.
"We're keenly aware that the public has a connection to all of our parks," said Dan Keefe from the Thousand Islands State Park press office in Albany. "These are some very difficult decisions, but it's part of the state budget process."
No changes have been made to the original closure list at this time, Keefe said, adding that the legislature and governor will continue to work on the budget as a whole.
ECO-FAIR STILL ON
The Friends of Point au Roche State Park had scheduled a day-long Eco-Fair for May 8 at the park to promote environmentally friendly activities.
Simmers said the group plans to move ahead with that event but does not know what kind of support it will receive.
"We don't know if we're going to have to mow the grass or if we will be allowed to mow the grass. If they're not going to do anything with the parks, then we need to know what they will let the community do."
Keefe said it was too early to tell what actions will be taken should the final state budget cement the park closures.
The Department of Environmental Conservation, which also operates parks across the region, has not identified any new closures this year, though Poke-o-Moonshine State Park was closed to camping and day use in 2009 and will not reopen this year.
MACOMB UPGRADE
At Macomb State Park, construction is continuing on a new shower and bathroom facility.
Keefe said several projects like that were awarded contracts before the closure announcement, and those jobs will be completed.
"The hope is that these closures will be temporary and the new facilities will be used in the future."
TRACK TEAMS
Area high schools use both Macomb and Point au Roche for their fall cross-country meets, and there is concern with what will happen to those programs should the parks close.
In fact, Seton Catholic was planning on moving from Cumberland Bay State Park to Point au Roche for practice and meets.
SUPPORT EFFORTS
Friends of Point au Roche will have an informational table at the Altona Sportsman's Show March 13.
Also, members will meet at Plattsburgh Public Library at 10 a.m. March 20 to discuss plans for the May 8 Health Parks, Healthy People Eco-Fair. Simmers said anyone interested in supporting the Friends' efforts to save Point au Roche can attend.
E-mail Jeff Meyers at: jmeyers@pressrepublican.com
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