Published: January 22, 2008 05:28 pm            

GREENWAY: $1.5 million approved for gorge wall scaling

Improvement plan tops $17 million

Improvements estimated at $17.4 million are planned for the regional state parks in 2008-09, parks officials announced Tuesday.

The projects run the gamut from $1.5 million for extensive rock scaling along the Niagara Gorge wall to $675,000 to restore a hiking trail between Whirlpool and Devil’s Hole state parks to $1 million for reconstructing roadways and parking lots at Beaver Island State Park and $200,000 to construct an environmental education center at Joseph Davis State Park, a 335-acre site that has deteriorated in the past three decades.

Fort Niagara State Park in Youngstown will benefit from more than $1,085,000 budgeted for a new roof on the maintenance center, extensive roadway and parking lot improvements, an upgraded electrical system and refurbishing of the swimming pool complex.

“We’re pleased with the funding of these projects,” said state Commissioner Carol Ash, “We had taken our case to the governor and he heard us and gave us what’s needed at this time.”

In his State of the State address, Gov. Spitzer unveiled a plan for a $100 million initiative to revitalize the statewide parks system and historic sites.

A spokesman for the governor said the overall capital expenditures for the Albany-based parks agency will total $147.2 million, including $100 million from the State Park Infrastructure Fund (SPIF) and $47.2 million in capital projects funded from sources dedicated to specific projects. The latter includes federal grants, special grants and private contributions.

        

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