ALBANY (AP) -- Officials say the New York state parks system saw nearly 57 million visitors last year, an increase of one million over 2009.
Last spring, Gov. David Paterson announced that dozens of New York's 178 parks and 35 historic sites would have to close and others would have to reduce services because of the state's budget deficit. After a public outcry, Paterson and the Legislature restored $11 million to keep all the parks open.
Former state parks commissioner Carol Ash says the state parks budget has been cut from $195 million in fiscal year 2008-09 to less than $160 million for the current fiscal year. A report by the Alliance for New York State Parks and Parks and Trails New York says budget cuts have left the parks system understaffed and in need of repairs.
The report released last month calls for establishing a new, dedicated funding stream to ensure the future of the state's parks.
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