News
Monday, September 6, 2010
Moon Lake Park to close for 5 months
Luzerne County officials say budget woes force cuts at popular recreational venue.
By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
Moon Lake Park will likely be closed five months next year because of Luzerne County budget cuts, county employees said Thursday.
The opening day of trout season was elbow-to-elbow at Moon Lake in 2002.
File photo/ the times leader
The swimming pool, newly renovated nature center, marina and campsites will also be closed, in large part because all the part-time and seasonal workers who manned these areas have been eliminated from the county budget, said park Director Clif Madrack.
“It looks very bleak. We won’t be able to do much more than have the park open part of the year for people to bike ride, go for a walk or fish,” he said.
Madrack, a seven-year park employee, estimates 150,000 people visit the 648-acre park annually.
“The most hurtful thing about this is that when I took over that park it was a dump. We took a pig’s ear and turned it into a silk purse,” Madrack said.
County commissioners cut $147,460 from the park’s budget next year, saying difficult decisions had to be made to reduce the county’s overburdened general fund. Moon Lake was a natural target because it’s not a mandated service and doesn’t impact public safety. Seasonal workers also had to go because union contracts forbid layoffs when part-timers are employed.
Quality of life will be impacted by the cuts, said county Recreation Director Andy Gegaris.
Facilities such as Moon Lake are more important than ever in this struggling economy, said Gegaris and Madrack.
“Now that times are hard, our business is up, not down. We took in a lot more money from our campground. The average guy doesn’t have money to go away on vacation and really looks forward to that week of camping,” Madrack said.
In decent weather, people visit the park during the months that it is scheduled to be closed – January through March and November and December – to hike, trek the 20-plus miles of freshly carved out mountain bike trail, fly radio-controlled planes, kick around a soccer ball, ice fish and walk their dogs, said Madrack and Gegaris.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of disappointed people,” Gegaris said.
Madrack said many park visitors have commented that they don’t use the court system, prison or other services that are eating up the county’s general fund, though he stressed that he’s not trying to criticize those government branches.
Gegaris said Madrack and the park’s three union workers will be laid off for the five months the park is closed.
The budget for Madrack’s $42,900 salary has been cut to $28,395 next year, while the budget for union salaries was reduced from $72,852 to $45,322 for a clerk, a foreman/security worker and a maintenance worker.
Madrack says the plans are to open the park five days instead of seven -- from Wednesday through Sunday – April 1 through the end of October. The park will close at sundown, ending the evening hours that had been offered during camping season.
A gate will block the entrance during the five months of closure, and a no-trespassing sign will forbid visitors.
“We can’t let people go in for insurance purposes when the place is not manned,” Madrack said. “We’re concerned about vandalism because we take great pride in the improvements we’ve made.”
Gegaris informed the employees of the layoffs and other plans Thursday.
“It’s hard because we have good people who do good work who didn’t cause the county’s financial situation,” Gegaris said. “I’m trying to remain positive and upbeat, that hopefully we can survive 2009 and restore a full array of services and amenities in 2010.”
Jennifer Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7333.
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20 COMMENTS
scotty said...
thats a good park why close it the make a lot of money thery. ther as? HOLES
D said...
Why can't elected officials manage money properly???
dull blade said...
Perhaps we should sell the park to Tom Greco and he could make a bar out of it.
Out Of Area said...
I agree with Mr. Madrak's comments. This was somewhere I would take my family because we didn't have the money to travel, etc. There is nothing in this area to do with family. Even if we just went there to fly a kite or take a walk was relaxing. Where I live now there is a similar type of park. They put in parking machines. They charge $1.00 per hour to park. This covers alot of the park's costs. We as a community do not mind paying this to keep this park. Why couldn't Luzerne County come up with some similar suggestions such as this to keep this park open? This is shameful.
Taxpayer said...
This is a shame. One of the few good things that has happened in Luzerne County over the past few years, but because of the commissioner's incompetence in running a budget, it is all going to go to waste. What do they think, that everything will remain pristine while the park is closed? No, it will look like a dump when the workers come back, and they will have to work twice as hard to get it back. Shame on the commissioners, and shame on the court system for not budging on the budget.
Jim said...
get rid of SKEP and Haden that will save enough money to have the public get something for their taxes. Instead of hot air....
Bob said...
I can't believe that someone would make the comment stating that they don't use the prison or the courts...... Thats whats wrong with people these days....Every resident of this county uses the court system and prison. I guess these people would just like us to stop prosecuting the county's crooks and let the ones in the prison free, then they could have there recreational park....just let me know how that works out for ya when some dirtbag robs you or rapes your wife in the beautiful county funded moon lake park.
PITTSTON JOE said...
THIS IS THE ONLY THING THAT IS GOOD IN THIS AREA! WE WANT AND DEMAND MOON LAKE STAY OPEN. WORK TOGETHER, KEEP IT OPEN, DO IT AND DO IT NOW! DON'T SELL IT AND TURN IT INTO A GOLF COARSE. WE CAN'T AFFORD THAT. GIVE THE WORKING MAN AND OUR FAMILIES A BREAK. YOU RAISED OUR TAXES GIVE US WHAT WE WANT! DON'T MESS THIS UP! REMEMBER ROCKY GLEN, REMEMBER HANSONS... REMEMBER MOON LAKE?????
Monty Eveland said...
Many thanks to the county officials who always gets the little guy,in the beginnig or the end ,It always seems to fall our way. Looking more everyday with the taxing issues & all like its time to get out of DODGE.
mikeg said...
I visited moon lake this past summer. It has been 33 years since my last visit. Sadly, it was not the park I remember. My friend told me that I should have seen it several years ago if you think it looks bad now. Mediocrity everywhere.
chrid said...
The park is in shambles due to the lack of qaulified employees. There is no reason to have any full time employees over ther and they should not be unionized. Why can't they have one full time employee with the other staff being seasonal employees.
TJ said...
What a shame. Such a beautiful place to go and enjoy nature. The sad part is, maybe they won't be able to open again for a long time, because thanks to Ciavarella's lawsuit to save his gofers, the commissioners may have to make more cuts, and Moon Lake will probably be targeted.
jerry said...
just make sure your local hoods in prison are properly taken care of and assisted in very possible way. thank you!! : (
In the know...... said...
Gee, state game lands are open 24/7....so why should a park be closed? Since when does someone have to have a paid park person there to fish, hike, fly airplanes, etc????
NEPMTBA Lee Curry said...
It's sad. but we at North Eastern Pa Mt Bike association(NEPMTBA) stand by and offer support as we have in the past! We all know we are in a pinch, but brighter times are ahead! I would offer a free volunteer bike patrol by NEPMTBA to protect the facilities if the park would allow it.
k said...
here come the vandals to destroy the place. just wait and see.
cms said...
I am glad they will close the park; I wish they would close it for good. The first thing I would do if I were a county commissioner is immediately close anything that wasn't mandated by law. There are other parks for families to enjoy, like Frances Slocum. Being fiscally responsible has to be the priority at this time. So stop the whining.
a madrack supporter said...
i think that Cliff should take over the daily operation of the county.He runs that park like it should be ran .why dont they tell you how many nickles and dimes they took in out there you will be surprised how much. put him in charge of the big dome he will make cuts that are needed and he does not care who sues him. He will tell you just how it is.with Cliff there is only two sides you either like him or you dont.A man that will rule with a iron fist.and yes he will have FIVE months to get the dome under control you go Cliff your the man.
Web Watcher said...
It's obvious we have a genuine bunch of idiots managing our county's budget...closing the park is the MOST RIDICULOUS THING you can do...it's a place for families to get together and spend quality time with one another, and now they want to take that away from them. What a bunch of jerks. I hope they all get what's coming to them.
John Runco said...
My son and I are members of the, Wyoming Valley R/C Flyers. We're from Scranton and we love to fly model airplanes, and Moon Lake is a beautiful park to do that. We found the people of Luzerne County, a great and friendly people. I sure hope a way could be worked out to solve this problem.