NY campground closures mean more business for private parks
Business at some of New York's privately-owned campgrounds may be up this season, due to the closures of some popular state parks.
According to the Watertown Daily Times newspaper, several parks in the state's Thousand Islands region will remain closed for the season, unless Governor David Patterson is able to get a last-minute deal approved.
The closed parks include Keewaydin, Eel Weir, Mary Island, Canoe-Picnic Point and Cedar Island state parks, as well as Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site.
The closures may mean a boost in business for local private campgrounds.
At Lisbon Beach and Campground, director Mike O'Neil says bookings and inquiries for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend are already higher than expected, at about 80 percent full.
"We've had a lot of bookings from people who are not regulars," he said.
Campgrounds near Eel Weir are also seeing increased business. The co-owner of the newly opened Riverlane Campground told the news provider that some of the exiled campers will stay at his facility instead.
"We've already had two to three people make reservations for the Memorial Day weekend who had been staying at Eel Weir," said Tim Youngs.
