County parks have been the focus of several controversies in the past year, and at this point, it's almost certain they'll be an issue in the County Legislature elections.

One of the first indications came when Republicans began robocalling Democratic Legislator Harry Bronson's district after Bronson voted in favor of stabilizing banks along a section of Irondequoit Creek, but wouldn't vote to authorize bonding for the project. Bronson and the Democrats argued that the county didn't need the authorization since it was getting a state grant for the work. Republicans disagreed, and said the county would only borrow money if the grant fell through.

Before that, however, was the Ellison Park Area Master Plan. The fights there were pretty well documented. Many environmentalists and parks users were upset with the process and the recommendations that came out of it. So that'll probably spill over into the campaigns.

In Wheatland, a citizens group is suing to stop the construction of soccer fields in the county's Oatka Creek Park.

Then there are the issues of wetlands preservation, parks maintenance, enforcement of parks laws, etc.

Last night, Democrat Nora Bredes, who's challenging Republican Legislator Ciaran Hanna, hosted a forum on county parks at Powder Mills Park - the county plans to develop the first master plan for Powder Mills next year. Bredes' contention is that the county's persistent operating deficit is leading it to look for "entrepreneurial" ways to use the parks. The event featured speakers who have been active on parks issues - they also touched on the "commoditization" of parks.

Also at the meeting was Assembly member Steve Englebright, the Sufflok County Democrat who chairs the Tourism, Parks, Arts, and Sports committee. He spoke to the crowd on several issues - state parks laws, the ability and willingness of state agencies to get involved in local park debates (for the most part, they won't), and effective organizing.