Luzerne County shuts down popular Moon Lake site

Moon Lake Park is now officially closed and off limits to the public – the victim of Luzerne County budget cuts.

“The mood was somber – very somber,” now-furloughed park director Clif Madrack said. “We feel like we’re the burnt offerings to the public.”

The park’s four employees were among 15 laid off, effective today, to help balance the county budget.

Commissioners have said they feel bad but can’t justify funding non-essential services such as Moon Lake and the county recreation department when they are raising taxes at least 10 percent this year. The county tried to find an entity willing to run the 674-acre Plymouth Township park without county subsidy, but there were no takers.

County officials say they would like to reopen the park again someday, but they couldn’t ensure it would ever happen.

Madrack and his staff spent their last day at work locking up all buildings and removing personal belongings.

Buildings were weatherproofed, and water service was shut off. Vehicles were moved to another county facility.

The county’s information technology department retrieved phones and computers Thursday, and keys were turned over to the county administration, Madrack said.

The park’s Olympic-sized pool has also been winterized, but Madrack said it will not function again if the county fails to run water through the filter system in the spring.

A county security guard will maintain a presence at the park during certain hours, but nobody will be permitted entry, he said.

Madrack estimated the park attracts 100,000 to 150,000 visitors per year, including people who fish, cross-country ski, hike, bike and camp. The park is also booked annually by groups of Scouts, medieval enthusiasts, Revolutionary War re-enactors, ham radio operators and a turkey federation, he said.

“People have been coming here all week telling us how bad they feel about the closing,” he said.

Madrack said he and his workers were most upset that none of the county commissioners publicly or personally acknowledged their efforts.

“I am personally offended that they never had the courtesy to call me or my people and at least thank them for their efforts,” Madrack said. “My workers know in their hearts that they worked to make this place a success, despite budget cuts year after year.”

Calls to the county’s main courthouse line – 825-1500 – will now be answered entirely by an automated phone system, with no option to stay on the line for an operator.

Courthouse switchboard operator Rose Zondlo, also furloughed, said she had to struggle to compose herself Thursday because she’s been in the post since 1994.

“All I can say is my heart’s broken,” said Zondlo. “I’m proud of this place. It was my second home.”

The county has an automated system that tells people which numbers to press to get to various departments. Callers will then be directed to a receptionist or other designated phone line in the chosen department.

Zondlo predicts many callers will become frustrated because they don’t know which department they need, and she said she still frequently helps older callers who still have rotary phones.

Also furloughed were two prison workers, an assessor’s office clerk, county Environmental/Recreation Chief Andy Gegaris, a solid waste clerk typist, security worker and three environmental special projects risk control technicians.

Jennifer Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7333.

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Luzerne County Government

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