A private tree service has cleared away the bulk of damage to Robinson State Park from the June 1 tornado.
A sign posted at the entrance to Robinson State Park in Agawam following the June 1 tornado.AGAWAM – Robinson State Park, which has been closed since the June 1 tornado, will reopen Sunday, according to state officials.
“We’re excited to have Robinson State Park reopen for the public,” state Department of Conservation and Recreation Commission Ed Lambert stated in a press release issued late Friday. “There is plenty of summer left to be had and we’re looking forward to the spectacular fall foliage in Agawam.”
The park can be reopened because Mayer Tree Service, which started work July 19, finished clearing away trees and branches downed by the tornado on Friday. The park has been closed since the tornado because of damage that affected about 25 acres of the 800-acre attraction.
There was damage to day use areas, roads, trails and the power lines that run through the park. Seventy-five percent of the $300,000 cost of Mayer’s work is expected to be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Administration.
Visitors to Robinson should take note that despite repairs, storm damage remains throughout portions of the forest at Robinson State Park, the press release advises. Visitors will be required to stay on trails, roads and day use picnic areas. Work related to the tornado will continue in the coming months.
Robinson State Park sustained the loss of more than 250 downed trees and had about 400 feet of downed power lines along with several downed utility poles. No buildings were damaged.
Meanwhile, frequent users of the park, disappointed it has been closed, have been growing impatient.
“It is long overdue,” Lucy Gionfriddo, a member of the leadership committee of the Friends of Robinson State Park, said regarding its imminent reopening.
“Summers are a time when people like to use their state parks,” Gionfriddo said, explaining that people like to take advantage of the park’s pond to cool off in the hot weather.
However, Gionfriddo added that the park being closed so long is understandable in light of the other tornado damage in the region with which the state and federal governments have had to deal.
“I’d like it open as soon as possible,” Kathie Hurley, another member of the Friends leadership group, said. “The way the economy is a lot of people have to vacation close to home....I guess everything takes time.”
Hurley said she understands that FEMA and the state have to set priorities.