Daily Freeman: WEST PARK, N.Y. — Residents will rally outside their post office Friday, as the U.S. Postal Services shuts the doors to the West Park Post Office for the last time, leaving 170 families in the lurch.

Residents of Esopus hamlet were informed by mail on June 23 that the post office would close “temporarily,” at the end of the work day on Friday, July 24. West Park residents, together with elected officials, have come together to push back against the closure.

“This Friday is supposedly the last day for the West Park Post Office,” said resident Susan Epstein. “And so, as a community we are gathering at 15 minutes before 5 o’clock just to show support for the Post Office.”

According to residents, the post office is not only the only gathering center in West Park, but a daily necessity. West Park does not get postal road delivery service, meaning residents have to go to the post office for all their mail, including bills, medications, and official documents. During the closure, residents’ mail will be redirected to the Highland Post Office on 197 North Road in the neighboring town of Lloyd.

According to Epstein, the distance, coupled with gas prices and accessibility issues for many residents “raises the stakes.”

“From my house, it’s a four-mile round trip to the post office,” Epstein said. “It will now become a 15-mile-plus round trip to the post office. Not to buy stamps or send a package, but to get my mail.”

The Postal Service cited the end of its lease for the building as the reason for the closure. Although postal officials have said the closure is temporary, they have not released plans or a timeline for reopening.

When previously asked about the closure, U.S. Postal Service Spokesman Mark Lawrence said, “The Postal Service does not discuss lease negotiations. A timeframe for a return to West Park has yet to be determined.”

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