ADK Statement

 

January 9, 2008

ADK Executive Director Neil Woodworth's Statement

On Governor Spitzer's 2008 State of the State Address

We are encouraged by Governor Spitzer’s commitment to greater investment in New York’s state park system and look forward to seeing the details of his plan in the 2008-09 Budget.

In his State of the State address today, Governor Spitzer proposed $100 million in capital spending to revitalize New York’s aging park system. He also announced plans to transform the Poughkeepsie Rail Bridge into a pedestrian bridge, creating a hiking link between the eastern and western shores of the Hudson River.

Last fall, Parks Commissioner Carol Ash testified about the aging and deteriorating condition of the park systems’ facilities after years of underinvestment. At the same time, ADK raised concerns about the condition of many of the trails in state parks and the lack of public access to some trails. ADK also noted the great need for a hiking trail system in the magnificent lands of Sterling Forest State Park.

New York’s state park system provides visitors, including many ADK members, with a near wilderness experience that is often more accessible than the more distant lands of the Adirondacks and Catskills. State parks are also family friendly places for the public to learn more about how to safely recreate in the backcountry before they venture to the Adirondacks and Catskills.

More than 55 million people visit state parks each year, so viable parks with attractive and up-to-date facilities are vital to New York’s economy, particularly upstate. Governor Spitzer recognizes the importance of parks and open space to maintaining livable communities and fostering economic development.

The Adirondack Mountain Club, founded in 1922, is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting New York’s Forest Preserve and other wild lands and waters through conservation and advocacy, environmental education and responsible recreation.

For more information, contact Paul Ertelt at (518) 449-3870.