Earlier this week, Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I – Merrick) wrote to Governor Paterson regarding his concern that the closure of the West End Swimming Pool at Jones Beach will be detrimental to the people of Long Island who utilize the facility. The closure of the West End pool, coupled with last year’s closure of the East Bathhouse Swimming Pool, will eliminate any swimming pools at Jones Beach.

“I have heard from numerous constituents how the closure of the West End Pool will negatively impact their summer plans and economic activity on Long Island,” said Assemblyman McDonough. “The thousands of dollars that are needed to keep this treasure, and other state parks and historic sites, open are relatively a drop in the bucket in an attempt to fill our state’s huge budget gap. The Governor and legislators should be working toward a clear long-term fiscal plan that not only restores funding for Jones Beach and other sites, but also draws down spending and debt in a way that will not further harm our already fragile economy.”

The closure of the West End Pool is part of the proposed budget cuts affecting the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). OPRHP helps communities identify, evaluate, preserve and revitalize their historic, archeological and cultural resources. Under the governor’s proposal, there are 79 state parks, facilities or historic sites identified for closure or service reductions statewide - of these, 16 parks or historic sites are located on Long Island.