GREENE – Losing tens of thousands of dollars to Cook Park every year and unable to get rid of it, county officials are mulling options for the park that could ultimately change how it’s run.

Since 1961, the county owned Cook Park in Greene has been a recreational haven for campers, currently boasting 40 camp sites for tents, campers and RVs, as well as daytime use for fishers, boaters and hikers.

But the campground has faced challenges over the years. The county, unable to break even on daytime, overnight and seasonal rates, is looking at a nearly $40,000 deficit in the park’s $72,000 budget this year after the burdening cost of upkeep and management.

The financial loss is nothing new for the county. For years, the county’s Planning and Ag Buildings and Grounds committees have brainstormed ways of turning the tide, including adding possible amenities like swimming, internet, and a higher-grade power source than the campground’s current 20-30 amp electric.

Yet county officials haven’t followed through with these upgrades, citing costs that simply don’t outweigh the benefits. Without the same services offered by larger private and state owned parks in the area, Cook Park is finding it harder to compete, says Chenango County Buildings and Grounds Coordinator Julie Gates.

“A lot of parks don’t make money. It’s just a place for the public to use and to enjoy. Cook Park is a place for people to enjoy and unfortunately it costs us money to keep it going,” said Gates.

Gates also noted that despite New York’s investments to draw more campers into nearby Chenango Valley and Bowman state parks, Cook Park still gets a strong attendance. Park managers are actually turning people away for seasonal passes because the park doesn’t have enough camp sites.

So what’s the problem? Members of the Planning Committee think low rates have something to do with it.

“There’s a reason people go there – because we’re not charging them much,” said Preston Supervisor Peter Flanagan, one of the staunch critics of Cook Park. Flanagan said the county has “hemorrhaged money on the park” for years and needs to rethink its role in the park business.