I know that as NY runs out of money the amenities offered are being reduced; maybe this is their solution to deal with reduced staff. I know one of the lakes that had been heavily damaged in Hurricane Irene years ago still hasn’t re-opened - and probably never will.
It should be American’s right to go as they please and look at what they like and use areas as long as they don’t belong to a private citizen, in which case permission would be required.
The government thinks they’re the lords of the lands it would seem.