Every summer, thousands of New Yorkers relax and have fun in a public park.
Whether you want to challenge a mountain peak or golf course, bird watch on a nature trail, swim at a beach, learn about history or play ball with your dog, chances are that a state or municipal park has something for you.
Even better, you can access these recreational activities at a fraction of the cost of an airline ticket or amusement park admission.
While our public parks offer summer fun at a minimal hit to our wallets, the real value of these facilities comes from those who keep them pristine — our members.
Hundreds of CSEA members work year-round and seasonally at maintaining our state and municipal parks.
Not only do our members ensure our public parks are clean and safe, they are also leading the way in saving New Yorkers money. This edition features several examples of how CSEA members are making public parks one of our greatest values.
CSEA members recently completed an expansive solar array at Robert Moses State Park on Long Island that is estimated to save the state at least $120,000 in annual energy savings.
At Bear Mountain State Park in the Hudson Valley, our members also used the sun to improve safety, particularly in more remote areas of the property. CSEA members employed at this park recently built a solar-powered streetlight that will provide light in a much-needed area.
Not only will the state — and taxpayers — ultimately save millions of dollars from these projects and others, the work itself is the product of highly skilled, public workers who fully developed the solar projects in-house. A private contractor would have likely cost the state thousands of dollars.
In New York City, our members are also working hard to keep state parks clean and safe, including at Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens, where thousands of residents and tourists are expected to watch the annual Macy’s Fireworks Show on July 4 thanks to the park’s view of the Manhattan skyline.
The park is also home to many recreational activities for the whole family, including a nod to the city’s industrial history.
Our local government members are also playing an important role in summer activities, including keeping municipal parks and their features pristine.
Our members in the Rockland County town of Clarkstown are among those also making summer a little easier for working parents through operating a municipal day camp for children.
Through this camp, children not only get to have fun and form priceless summer childhood memories, but their parents can rest easier knowing their children are being cared in a safe environment that is also affordable.
Our members provide numerous safe, pristine and affordable programs and activities. Why go far for your summer fun when you can stay near home?
— Janice Gavin
