OSWEGO -- The manager of Fort Ontario Historic Site in Oswego says it was supposed to be opening this weekend, but it's not.
It's one of the dozens of State Parks Governor Paterson cut in his budget proposal. Lawmakers have not passed any budget yet, so not only are the parks in limbo, so are some wedding plans. Paul Lear, manager at the Fort, says about six weddings were supposed to be held here this summer and he had to break the bad news to brides who did not take it so well.
"At this point, we can have no weddings here at the Fort," Lear said.
People who had plans to get married there were notified months ago to have a back-up plan. It's not only weddings that are impacted, there will be no events there. The parking lot is closed to cars and the lawn won't be getting mowed. Employees are being assigned to other State Parks.
A place so rich with history will sit empty, unless State lawmakers restore funding when they pass a budget.
"We're hoping the Fort is back and running again so the public can come in and enjoy our history," Lear said.
In the meantime, the brides and grooms who wanted to say "I do" there, have to plan on making their memories somewhere else.
EARLIER VERSION:
The ramifications of a late New York State budget continue to trickle down into our everyday lives. For several local couples, it may ruin their wedding plans.
State parks officials say they'll start next week shutting down or keeping closed dozens of parks and historic sites because of New York's budget crisis.
Parks spokeswoman Eileen Larrabee says Friday that the gates at 41 parks and 14 historic sites will be locked starting Monday. She says most of the properties were closed for the winter or had reduced services, but typically would be preparing to reopen for the Memorial Day weekend.
Larrabee says employees at the effected parks and historic sites are being transferred to facilities that are remaining open.
The Legislature has voted to restore $11.3 million in parks funding cut from Gov. David Paterson's budget proposal, but there's no agreement yet on a budget.
In Oswego, Fort Ontario has been one of the most talked about closures. According to Paul Lear, the historic site's manager, the fort is closed. Six weddings are scheduled at the park and will have to be moved. If the budget is passed, Lear says staff would come back and wedding and events would be back on, assuming people haven't booked elsewhere.
Gates at Fort Ontario are closed right now and there's no parking permitted. According to Lear, fort staff has been assigned to other state park facilities. If the budget is passed, Lear says staff would come back and wedding and events would be back on, assuming they haven't been booked elsewhere.
Several demonstrations have been held offering support for the fort, but so far the landmark has not been saved yet.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
