State Budget Cuts Mean No Swimming Pool, Camping At Heckscher State Park In Islip, Long Island

State Budget Cuts Close Swimming Pool, Campgrounds At Heckscher State Park In Islip

May 25, 2011 9:25 AM

Heckscher State Park (file / credit: DanTD via Wikipedia)

Reporting Sophia Hall

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ISLIP, NY (WCBS 880) - You can call this a sad state of the times.

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The phone has reportedly been ringing off the hook from people looking to use the swimming pool at Heckscher State Park in the town of Islip.

But, because of state budget cuts, the pool is closed.

Also, you can forget about camping. That, too, has been stopped for the summer.

“As we watch the state tighten its belt, it becomes more and more evident that we’re going to have to find other places to enjoy over the summertime,” says Councilperson Trish Bergin. “Hopefully, when the economy starts to rebound, we’ll be able to see these things being brought back on the state level. But in the meantime, there are still some beautiful town facilities that people can enjoy.”

Many people from Long Island and the five boroughs use the pool at Heckscher State Park.

State Budget Cuts Close Swimming Pool, Campgrounds At Heckscher State Park In Islip

Jerry Sentochnik

Once closed rarely reopens. Privatize the damn things so they can be run at a profit. This is ridiculous and the state of New York should be ashamed.
A

In a time when money is tight and these facilities would have probably been used more than in years past, the fine State of New York closes them. The politicians created this mess as far as I’m concerned cut their pay and benefits to fill the void. It is getting tiresome living in this state.
Sofia

It is cleary mind boggling how the state closes these facilities that are only opened three months out of the year because of budget cuts. Really, how much $ does it take. Its bad enough that extra curricular activities are almost if not all gone for these kids, the one thing they look forward to in the summer, pools and parks are now being targeted too. Why not just simply tell these kids who look forward to using these parks “sorry, sux for you” because that’s exactly what they are implying by targeting closures to these facilities. Shame on them!!!!
Gregory

Puniish the taxpayers for inflicting budget cuts on the political bureaucrats. Perhaps the taxpayers should inflict unemployment on the politicians.
Jason Michael Matthews

Can someone explain to me how you close down a campground? Isn’t it just woods where people pop tents? What is there to close?