SHERBURNE – Friends of Rogers, a non-profit volunteer organization, has relayed more information from the state Department of Environmental Conservation regarding the scheduled Dec. 31 closure of Rogers Center.

According to the group’s vice president and spokeswoman Sharon Pelosi, the DEC has indicated it will close the Rogers Center’s Visitors Center, Bird Cabin and public restrooms by the end of the year.

Pelosi also reported the DEC intends to keep the site’s grounds open to the public, including its six miles of hiking trails, but added that the state will no longer conduct any routine maintenance at the location.

“The grounds and trails on property will remain open for public use; however, DEC will not conduct regular trail maintenance or snow removal. Without access to restrooms and assistance with snow removal, the Friends’ popular annual Winter Living Celebration, which had been scheduled to take place on Jan. 8, appears uncertain,” the non-profit group reported in a written statement Sunday.

“This event draws hundreds of families every year for horse drawn sleigh rides, snow shoeing and winter fun. It will be such a shame to lose this community event,” said Laurie Trotta, president of Friends of Rogers.

Rogers Director Marsha Guzewich confirmed five full-time employees, including her own position, were being eliminated by the end of the year. Guzewich said the center, which has been operating wildlife and nature educational programs since 1968, will close by Dec. 31 and that all programming sponsored by the center beyond that date has been canceled.

On Nov. 18, DEC officials confirmed Rogers and Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center in Dutchess County would be among those to close as the governor’s office attempts to save $250 million by laying off nearly 900 state workers by the end of the year.

Governor David Paterson said 898 state employees across a number of state agencies would be affected, including about 150 from the DEC.