As the economy remains locked in recession, State budget cuts continue to hit a host of different areas across the nation. None of these have been hit harder than Arizona State Parks! In FY-2009 the Arizona State Parks budget was $26.0 million. For FY-2011 that budget is projected at $7.5 million. Employees have seen waves of layoffs and more are expected. From a staff of 400 in FY-2009 employee numbers have fallen to 219 today and perhaps as many as three more rounds of layoffs may reduce that number to 120 or less.
Worst of all, 13 State Parks out of Arizona's 30-park system are presently closed and another 8 are slated to be closed by June of 2010. Arizona will have only 9 parks open for visitors this summer. If the Governor's proposed budget for FY-2011 is enacted, even these remaining 9 parks could be closed in 2011.
When we lived in Tucson and I was with NASPD ('97 - '04), we visited many of the Arizona State Parks. I also became well-acquainted with then-Director of AZ State Parks Ken Travous, who invited my wife and me to tour Kartchner Caverns with Ken and one of its discoverers, just as they began work to make it accessible to visitors. That tour was fabulous as we played at spelunking without the risks typically involved. It also gave us an appreciation for the uniqueness of this unspoiled great natural resource.
The Kartchner Caverns State Park project cost something like $26 million, when all things were added up. It was a State Park project that met the highest standards of park development and, as Ken Travous "did it right!", I believe it is one of the very few park projects of the last 20 years that met every measure of professional excellence.
Today, Kartchner Caverns is, in my opinion, by far the best visitor experience in any cave in the country. Because it was found and developed within the last thirty years, its pristine cave formations have received protection and preservation like no other cave has ever had. Even the humidity level in the cave is controlled so that it can continue to be an "active" cave that will continue to make formations. Kartchner Caverns is a great legacy for the people of Arizona, and I hope it always remains a special place for visitors to enjoy. But now, with the budget pressures we see in Arizona today, I wonder whether even this flagship park will survive.
The AZ State Park system, although small by some standards (27 Park units and 3 Historic sites) protects and preserves natural and historic resources of national significance. These include the Tombstone Courthouse with its historic exhibits from the nineteenth century, as well as outstanding examples of the unique Sonoran Desert plant and animal communities.
Lost in the dust of the Arizona State Legislature's efforts to balance their state budget is the economic impact that State Parks have on the rural business communities adjacent to them. Economic impact studies show that the entire Arizona State Parks system generates some $266.0 million of business activity and that the taxes on that going into the Arizona General Fund amount to $25.0 million. The voices of the few Arizona legislators who have pointed out that closing state parks is a money-losing proposition have been lost in the cacophony of cries to do away with government.
To right this sad situation there is a proposal to add $9.00 to every vehicle registration in Arizona. The proceeds from that dedicated fund fee would operate Arizona State Parks and provide free entry to them for all Arizonans. The entrance fees the parks collect today would only apply to out-of-state tourists. This proposal, which would resolve the problem, has not received much support to date. Certainly if legislators are concerned about voter resistance, they could place it on the ballot as a referendum.
State and National Parks occupy a special place in the hearts of Americans. They provide a place for us to learn about and enjoy the great natural and historic heritage of our country - as Ken Burns' recent National Parks series demonstrated. Parks are places where we can take our families and be in a setting that uplifts our very souls. In today's tough economic times that uplift is more critically needed than ever before. Yet it seems that some of our misguided legislators want to sacrifice this intangible resource on the altar of budget savings. I hope that the ballot boxes in Arizona this fall will reverse this impending disaster for Arizona State Parks.
Related Links:
- Cuts at state parks leave hearing-impaired at a loss
- Give Control of state parks to counties, cities
- State Parks: Lake Havasu proposal would force more closures
- Volunteers Scramble to Protect Closed State Parks
- Texan donates $8,000 to keep Lost Dutchman State Park open
- State partners with Arizona Highways magazine to save the parks
Glen Alexander
Comments
Tom Wylie wrote:
Friday, 23 April 2010 21:45
I am retired from the National Park Service and a resident of Colorado. We go to Arizona fairly often and have visited state parks, including Tonto Natural Bridge, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, and Picacho Peak. I think you are on the mark about the economic impact of state parks on local communities. Why else would the town of Payson financially assist the state in keeping Tonto Natural Bridge open until September 27 (posted recently on AZ State Parks website). Some entity, or group of entities, needs to alert Arizona citizens to petition the state on this issue. Here in Colorado the governor added a fee to our vehicle registrations to offset revenue loss for highway programs. The $9.00 vehicle registration fee for state parks is a similar and perhaps better proposal. I would hate to think a majority of Arizona citizens would not support the measure.
Ransom Alexander wrote:
Sunday, 25 April 2010 01:47
I currently reside in Washington State, where the State Park system has also taken a large cut and where several of the State Parks are being closed also. Washington has not implemented a fee tied directly to vehicle registration. However, they do have a "vanity" plate that can purchased for an additional $30 upon renewal of the registration. That $30 goes directly to the State Park system. This is obviously strictly voluntary, but, I beleive that if the citizens of a state value their state parks, they would participate. The advantage is that the money cannot be moved to roads or another state social service account. The money is dedicated to the state parks. Olympia has a tendancy to institute a tax for one thing and spend the money on another. I feel much better knowing the money I give is going to a cause that I beleive in - not a political whim.
How does Mr. Alexander feel about privatizing State Parks? I understand that there is a company looking at that in Arizona.
Mark Young wrote:
Sunday, 09 May 2010 18:48
Reading about the plight of Arizona State Parks and other state and local park systems across the country is heartbreaking. It is also a wake up call and a call to action for American citizens to launch a grassroots campaign to promote the value of parks and outdoor recreation resources. It is time to stop taking these resources for granted and treat them as an essential public investment in the health, environmental quality and economic vitality of our nation. It is up to parks and recreation professionals to engage citizens in this grassroots effort. Legislators must hear from their constituents about the value of parks and recreation resources over and over again until the message elicits the response it deserves.