Senator Thompson Holds Rally To Save Our Parks

For Immediate Release: Friday, March 12, 2010
Contact: Linda Walker | 716.284.5789Heather Zeisz | zeisz@senate.state.ny.us | 716.854.8705

Niagara Falls, NY – New York State Senator Antoine M. Thompson (D-Parts of Erie & Niagara Counties) will hold a rally to save our parks on Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 3:00 PM at DeVeaux Woods State Park, which is located at 3180 DeVeaux Woods Drive in Niagara Falls.

“Our parks are an asset to the people of New York State,” stated Senator Thompson. “ They are used for recreation and relaxation and we have to do anything in our power to save them.”

The Governor’s budget seeks to cut $65 million to parks and recreation, closing 91 State Parks and reducing services in an additional 23 parks.  The parks funding is used to restore historic sites, rehabilitate water systems and improve certain roads and bridges.  

“Our State Parks are critically important economic engines that support local economies and an ever growing ecotourism industry, providing billions in revenue to the state each year,” said Albert E. Caccese, Executive Director of Audubon New York, and 28 year veteran of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Executive Staff.  “We applaud Senator Thompson for leading the charge to keep our Parks open, and urge the entire Senate to join with him in supporting a restoration of Parks and environmental funding in this year’s budget.” 

Get involved. Stay involved. Make a difference!

Who:               NYS Senator Antoine M. Thompson, Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee

            Michael Pitrinec, President of the Buffalo Audubon Society

Robert Ciesielski, Chair of the Sierra Club, Niagara Group

What:             Rally to Save Our Parks

Where:           DeVeaux Woods State Park

                        3180 DeVeaux Woods Drive – Niagara Falls, NY

When:             Sunday, March 14, 2010, 3:00 PM

-30-