By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – An advocacy group for state parks in New York released a report Tuesday that found the state has underfunded its parks and has deferred maintenance. The group Parks and Trails New York is calling on state officials to renew their commitment to the parks.
There are 176 state parks across New York. The list includes the nation's very first state park, the Niagara Reservation.
The current year's state budget provides more than $244 million to the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. But members of the board of directors for Parks and Trails New York who spent this past summer visiting parks found that look worn out. They put together a report titled "Parks at a Turning Point -- Restoring and Enhancing New York's State Park System."
Jeffrey Swain is chairman of Parks and Trails New York. WBFO's Mark Scott reached him at his Albany office. Click the "listen" icon above to hear the interview now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.