Press Release
February 27, 2009
Contact:
Eileen Larrabee
Dan Keefe
518.486.1868
East River State Park to Reopen March 1st
Community support, savings achieved through austerity measures and stabilized energy costs allow park to open month early
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash and Assemblyman Joseph Lentol today announced that East River State Park will reopen Sunday, March 1, one month earlier than scheduled. The park will be open from 9 a.m. until dusk.
As a result of a number of cost-saving measures implemented by State Parks, stabilized energy costs, and a commitment of support and assistance from the community, the park will be reopening on March 1, rather than April 1. The park has been closed since Jan. 1 as part of austerity measures adopted by State Parks to address the state's unprecedented economic crisis.
"It is gratifying to see the community rallying around East River State Park in these difficult economic times," Ash said. "I am thankful for the support of Assemblyman Lentol and the people of Williamsburg, for their continued efforts on behalf of the park."
"We are very happy that the community will have the use of this vital piece of open space throughout the month of March. We were glad that State Parks and local community groups like Friends of the State Park were willing to work with us to accomplish this and look forward to working with State Parks in the future to ensure that this kind of park closing never happens again," said Assemblyman Lentol.
East River State Park is a seven-acre waterfront park located along the East River in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. It offers visitors a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline, and the green space provides many opportunities for recreation and relaxation.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 178 state parks and 35 historic sites. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com.
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