— — Hours after aerialist Nik Wallenda once again came up short in securing Canadian approval for his proposed wirewalk, he was told his state park support on the American side was also in danger of being pulled.

Wallenda, who has been lobbying to walk across the Niagara Gorge between Canada and the United States, made his pitch to Ontario Tourism Minister Michael Chan on Friday in hopes the official would overturn a “no-stunting policy” backed by the Niagara Parks Commission in Canada.

While both Wallenda and Chan described the meeting as pleasant, Chan said he would not overrule the commission’s decision.

In response, New York State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey issued a statement saying she has reached out to Wallenda to inform him that since he has not been able to secure approval for an international crossing from Canadian authorities, New York state cannot support a high-wire act limited to the American Falls.

“A walk limited to the American Falls is not what New York approved or envisioned in legislation authorizing Nik Wallenda to traverse the Niagara River Gorge from the United States to Canada,” Harvey wrote in the statement.

Harvey noted the costs to New York state of managing a walk only across the American Falls would exceed $1 million in direct state expenses, while, because of the physical topography of Niagara Falls and crowd safety concerns, the number of people who could watch such a walk would be extremely limited.

“As a result, despite the costs to New York state, the vast majority of people on the U.S. side would be turned away from the park and never see the walk,” she said.

However, Wallenda’s chances to make the historic walk are still alive. Following Friday’s meeting, Chan said he called Canadian Parks Commission Chairwoman Janice Thomson, encouraging her and her commission colleagues to give Wallenda another chance to convince them to allow his dream to become a reality.

Thomson could not be reached for comment Friday.

“It was a good meeting, a solid meeting,” Chan told the Niagara Falls (Ontario) Review. “We had a thorough and truthful discussion. He’s quite an interesting and passionate person.”

Chan said the two sides spent “quite a bit of time” going over a number of topics, including the safety and security surrounding the proposal, how the event would unfold and the potential economic impact.

“The minister, under the legislation, does not have the authority to overturn the decision by the Niagara Parks Commission,” said Niagara Falls (Ontario) MPP Kim Craitor.

Wallenda could not be reached for comment late Friday regarding the New York State Parks Commission’s announcement. However, earlier in the day, he told the Niagara Falls, Ont. Review he was encouraged by his talk with Chan.

“I am thrilled to have met the minister. He’s a charming person, a lot of fun,” said Wallenda. “I know I’m moving in the right direction. I didn’t expect to be given a yes, but it went really well.”

Wallenda said he hopes to have more time to make his case to the Canadian parks commission than he did when he made his presentation in November.

“It was so short and brief,” he said of the November presentation, adding he’d prefer to have about 1 1/2 hours, like he did with Chan.

“The last time it was almost intimidating, although I don’t get intimidated often,” said Wallenda. “It was as if they had made their decision before I even spoke, based on their no-stunting policy.”

Wallenda said he will call the parks commission sometime next week and hopes to set up another meeting shortly thereafter.

The Niagara Falls (Ontario) Review contributed to this report