New York State Parks and the Town of Schodack Announce Partnership to Re-Open Schodack Island State Park

ALBANY, NY (12/30/2008)(readMedia)-- The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Town of Schodack announced today that a partnership agreement has been reached to re-open Schodack Island State Park on a limited basis for the winter season. The Schodack Town Board has approved the cooperative agreement between the Town and State Parks, reached with the participation of Rensselaer County and the Village of Castleton-on-Hudson, and the park will re-open for passive recreation on Tuesday, December 30.

The conditions of the agreement permit public access to the park seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. With the assistance of local volunteers, the Town will assume responsibility for monitoring patron activities in the park during the day, locking the park each night, and plowing the park roads in the event of snow and ice. The park will not be staffed and the buildings (including restrooms) will remain closed and winterized, but the park will be accessible for passive recreation including hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

"It is particularly gratifying to see groups and individuals coming together for their community in these challenging economic times. I am grateful to Beth Secor, the Town of Schodack and the park volunteers who are responding to this local need in an innovative way," said State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash.

Beth Secor, Town Supervisor, Town of Schodack, said "Schodack Island State Park is one of the most popular recreational facilities in our town. I'd like to thank our local residents who have strongly advocated for reopening the park and willingly volunteered to assist with its operation."

The park will open under this operating plan on Tuesday, December 30, 2008. The agreement between the Town and State Parks will remain in effect until State Parks resumes full management of the facility in the spring of 2009.

Alane Ball Chinian, Regional Director of the Saratoga/Capital District Region, said "I'm grateful to the Town for their cooperation and leadership in working with us to find a creative and practical solution to allow greater public access at Schodack Island State Park."

Schodack Island State Park was one of five State Parks and State Historic Sites in the Saratoga/Capital District Region that experienced reductions in services as part of a statewide fiscal austerity plan. Schodack Island State Park has been closed to the public since Columbus Day.

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