State parks at risk for closure
Posted: Jul 30 2009 3:08 pm
On Monday the state parks board meets. The chairman says it's the most important meeting in its 50 year history.
The board will determine the operating budget, strategic plan for the next 3 years, and most importantly whether the parks can remain open.
Arizona has 30 state parks. The state's parks board oversees the state historic preservation office. And gives out grants to communities for all types of outdoor recreation. So they need $27 million to operate the agency and it looks like the budget will be cut in half.
If parks are forced to close some say the impact will be felt throughout the community.
Kartchner Caverns is the most visited park in Arizona and the one that brings in the most revenue.
A park ranger and assistant manager says, "Its one of the top 10 showcases of the world. It has wonderful colors, reds, yellows, tans, browns, its pristine."
Kartchner Caverns is near and dear to Reese Woodling. He knew the cave's founders and while he was on the state parks board it became a park. Now, it's in danger of closing. "Its very very sad situation, and its critical," says Woodling.
Critical unless the state comes up with additional funding. Carol Wichita says, "I think it would be a travesty to have the park close."
2.5 million visitors pay for the use of the parks. Woodling says "We can't even use the money we generate in the parks to keep our parks open it goes into the general fund."There's even a charge for the campgrounds. But they might be closed as well.
Not only would closing the parks be disastrous but it would also affect businesses like this one located a couple of miles from Kartchner caverns .
Dolly Arnold the food court manager at Gas City says, "It would definitely impact our business here at gas city."
According to state statistics local communities make some $266 million a year from state parks.
The state parks chairman says the situation is so bad they may not even have enough money to close the parks. That's because fencing has to be purchased to keep them closed, historical artifacts will have to be moved and stored and the list goes on.
The board will determine the operating budget, strategic plan for the next 3 years, and most importantly whether the parks can remain open.
Arizona has 30 state parks. The state's parks board oversees the state historic preservation office. And gives out grants to communities for all types of outdoor recreation. So they need $27 million to operate the agency and it looks like the budget will be cut in half.
If parks are forced to close some say the impact will be felt throughout the community.
Kartchner Caverns is the most visited park in Arizona and the one that brings in the most revenue.
A park ranger and assistant manager says, "Its one of the top 10 showcases of the world. It has wonderful colors, reds, yellows, tans, browns, its pristine."
Kartchner Caverns is near and dear to Reese Woodling. He knew the cave's founders and while he was on the state parks board it became a park. Now, it's in danger of closing. "Its very very sad situation, and its critical," says Woodling.
Critical unless the state comes up with additional funding. Carol Wichita says, "I think it would be a travesty to have the park close."
2.5 million visitors pay for the use of the parks. Woodling says "We can't even use the money we generate in the parks to keep our parks open it goes into the general fund."There's even a charge for the campgrounds. But they might be closed as well.
Not only would closing the parks be disastrous but it would also affect businesses like this one located a couple of miles from Kartchner caverns .
Dolly Arnold the food court manager at Gas City says, "It would definitely impact our business here at gas city."
According to state statistics local communities make some $266 million a year from state parks.
The state parks chairman says the situation is so bad they may not even have enough money to close the parks. That's because fencing has to be purchased to keep them closed, historical artifacts will have to be moved and stored and the list goes on.
