NIAGARA FALLS—State legislators from the Assembly and Senate and from both sides of the political aisle were quick over the weekend to criticize the proposed closing of state parks and historic sites as part of Gov. David A. Paterson’s effort to close an anticipated budget gap of $8.2 billion in the fiscal year beginning April 1.

And ordinary residents who use the parks joined in the criticism.

Paterson’s plan, unveiled Friday, would save $6.5 million by closing 41 parks and 14 historic sites when the new budget year begins April 1. It also would reduce services at 23 other parks, including Niagara Falls State Park, which is widely known around the world and is a magnet that attracts untold numbers of international travelers.

Assemblywoman Francine Del- Monte, the Lewiston Democrat who represents Niagara Falls among many other communities along the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, called upon State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash to explore ways for local municipalities to keep some of the parks open.

Town Supervisor Joseph Jasztremski of Wilson already has said his town would like to explore ways to keep Wilson-Tuscarora State Park open.

On the other side of the aisle, Republican State Sen. Catharine M. Young of Olean issued a statement asking that Allegany and Long Point State parks remain fully open. Allegany is slated for reduced services, but not closing, under the governor’s proposal.

“Allegany State Park and Long Point State Park attract countless visitors every year and bring in tons of revenue to our region,” she said in a statement.

Meanwhile, two outdoor enthusiasts from Erie County who just happened to be visiting Niagara Falls State Park when the plan was announced Friday lent their voices to efforts to keep the parks open.

Emily Eberhardt, of Clarence, and Bob Mellon Jr., of Amherst, were enjoying a stroll along the snow-covered sand under Sunday’s sunny sky at Woodlawn Beach State Park in the Town of Hamburg. Thinking back to their visit on Friday to Niagara Falls State Park, Eberhardt said they found the park well-groomed and the roads plowed even in the winter.

Sunday, at Woodlawn Beach, Eberhardt said the planned closing was “so sad. It’s a beautiful spot. A nice escape. It’s isolated from people.”

She and Mellon agreed that they might continue to visit the parks even if they were officially closed.

Indeed, Woodlawn Beach could be considered officially closed right now. There was no swimming last summer at Woodlawn, and a sign at the park gate Sunday warned:

“Please note. Winter service reductions in effect. Restrooms closed. Nature Center closed. Boardwalk closed.”

Nonetheless, the access roads had been plowed, and the pavement was dry and clear. The green and white “Welcome to Woodlawn Beach State Park” sign remained in place, announcing “Park hours dawn to dusk.” The parking toll booth was padlocked and unattended.

Despite the governor’s plan for the parks, a sign said the Nature Center at Woodlawn “will be closed between Dec. 10, 2009, and April 1, 2010. We are still booking events for 2010.”

In a letter to Ash, DelMonte said her goal was “to keep all parks open . . We have to be open to new ideas. I want to work with you and Wilson officials to keep Wilson-Tuscarora open.” She suggested that similar arrangements possibly could be made with other communities.

Young, who represents Western New York’s Southern Tier, said: “Our state’s financial problems are a big concern, but closing these parks will only make matters worse and delay our economic rebound.”