Comments on: Why are State Parks Taking the Budget Hit?

By: ron klupka

ron klupka — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:40:39 +0000

Mark is of course right.
The problem is, is that government allocates expenses and does not consider where the revenue comes from. So even if a campground turned a “profit”, it would never be kept open if the budget is to be cut overall. The campground may close based on whimsy, or perhaps because the municipal government in which the park resides is controlled by the opposing plitical party.

By: Liz Bard

Liz Bard — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:51:39 +0000

The Texas State Parks are supposed to be financed by the hunting and fishing license fees. Several years ago, people raised such a ruckus with the state congressional folks during their every two year meeting, that they finally wrote a bill and it was signed by the governor to reinstate all fees from the hunting and fishing licenses to the state parks. When the appropriation was first made many years ago, they didn’t touch it, then one day someone was looking at the state budget and saw how much money was being raked in for the hunting and fishing licenses and they started picking it apart until they were only giving the state parks approximately 25% of the fees for salary, machines, repairs, etc. This also included the historical sites. Well, things starting to get run down, they couldn’t keep staff and they talked about closing parks. Then someone went to their congressional representative and showed him where the state was screwing up and misappropriating funds. The individual also showed that there had not been any bills written to appropriate the funds either. I think the individual may have gotten the Attorney General involved too by filing a complaint about it.

Several sessions ago, the funding was back to 100% of all hunting and fishing license fees. Maybe someone should check into these other states to see how they are supposed to be funded. We also have national parks in Texas and I don’t think they are having any problems. We just got started into the RV camping and are more weekenders. Our first camping trip was at the Davy Crockett NF.

We just had our primary election and I am going to contact the League of Women Voters who send out questionaires to the different office seekers. They publish a non-biased politcal newsletter with the questions and answers of these office seekers so they can answer their constituents (us). From what I understand about the league, they are one group if you want to get into office, you answer their questions. I know in Texas there have been candidates who felt they did not need to answer because they were so confident they had enough support from others and they lost.

I think it is time to remind these politicians – whether first term or career – who they need to answer to and who are attempting to pay their salaries.

By: leadfoot41

leadfoot41 — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:16:58 +0000

Doesn’t any of the volunteers that stay& help out at the national & stare parks defray some of the expences of the parks? Our politicians lack the common sense that they were born with. Come November, hopefully there jobs will be on the line & probilly collect there pay from the lobbists that are in there back pockets now. Are they really our employees? Anyway, happy Rving.

By: Ron

Ron — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:35:04 +0000

Yes, it is time to do something…it’s been time. We’ve been watching our national and state parks go under funded for years and as a public employee for over 30 years I can promise you it’s not the infrastucture and maintenance costs but the irresponsible spending by the administrators and elected officials who have to take something away from everything they buy and every contract they let, while padding their budgets and hiring one anothers’ relatives. We all know it’s happening but are just to comfortable in our little worlds to make waves. Here in Florida, myself and millions of other residents pay almost $40 a year for a combo fishing license and my city recently started charging $5 to launch a boat at ramps we’ve had for decades. It will not stop if we don’t do something.

By: Truman

Truman — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:38:17 +0000

We stayed at one of my favorite parks a state beach camp ground . I like to camp in the off season more spots to choose from. This park was in the winter mode for service meaning they close the bath rooms down to one at each area.But i noticed that they have at least 4 to 5 people cleaning this one bathroom!!! And all were riding around in big 4 wheel drive vehicles not to count the many times they came by my camp site I think state parks could be managed better than they are and i hate to call a camp ground host a ghost but you never see them.It did”t use to be this way when i first came to this park years ago the Host came around and introduced him or herself to and explaned what was available at the park and around the area or just to say HI. And the price increases at this park with no hookups went from $6 when i first started to go there to $25 I love to camp there and would hate for it to close !!!! Thanks just had to let the air out !!!!!!

By: Stan

Stan — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:44:18 +0000

Sorry to hear about New York and other states plans. We are from the Philadelphia area and last September we traveled to Four Mile Creek AP near Niagara Falls. we stayed 5 days and visited Niagara Falls, Fort Niagara, Lewiston, Youngstown and Lockport. We took two paid tours in Niagara Falls and one in Lockport. We ate Breakfast in the MH and all other meals and shopping were eaten in the visited areas. We also stayed in different parks while traveling to and from Niagara Falls. If this park would have been closed we would have gone to Maine. It is a shame that the Governments do not see the econmic benifit that we campers bring to their areas.

By: Hoppe

Hoppe — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:34:24 +0000

If the parks don’t pay for themselves, it’s because they have too many administrators, I’m guessing. Here in Colorado the day use fee is up to $10 or so for a ‘day use’. Yes they do have maybe too many ‘Park Rangers’, but my guess is that there is a large ‘charge off’ for administrative and accounting. Haven’t heard of any closings here in Colorado yet, and don’t expect to. I have run into parks/areas in the past that had ‘No Services’ and ‘Haul it in Haul it out’ that did not even have a use fee, but the gates were open.
I know I always get PO’d when I go to the National Parks and find the campgrounds closed and gated with the Private Management Company acting like they own our dirt. They seem to feel that if they can’t make money off the use that they have a right to close it. I do understand why the Hosts/Full Timers need/want to go south before it snows, but to put up gates and lock them is obscene. And Please don’t tell me that vandalism is going to be a huge problem when the only improvements are two holers, and NO hookups. I’m guessing the Park Service is allowing it because we didn’t have the foresight to leave them in place to manage the campgrounds. I think we should restore the National Park Service as operators and keep the income to improve the parks, cause somehow I don’t think Thousand Trails and the others, do it for free! Just my $.02……
hoppe

By: Ron Swift

Ron Swift — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:48:12 +0000

Most of these bureaucrats making this decision have no real business experience. A better idea would be to privatize these parks with a few rules to keep them open to the public. Campgrounds all around the country are still keeping their doors open. Why is this?

Please remember this and everything else in November!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you in advance.

By: Tige

Tige — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:47:26 +0000

I agree with you, Mark. It sounds crazy to me too.

By: Ham Radio

Ham Radio — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:12:47 +0000

“Reminds me somehow of the iconic “Mad” magazine cover.” Buy this magazine or we shoot the dog.”

For the record, the magazine cover was the National Lampoon, not Mad Magazine.