State parks, hurt by recessionary budget cuts, look for new sources of money to stay open

In March we reported the growing trend of states cutting services at state parks in an effort to balance budgets. Now in a time "when much of the country could use a walk in the woods or a night in the mountains or a wade in the river or a picnic by the lake, states across the country seem to be creating obstacles to the great outdoors," William Yardley of The New York Times reports. States have closed campgrounds, increased fees and laid off park employess to help meet cost-cutting goals. (NYT photo by Kevin Moloney)

"In Colorado, some parks are down to one lone ranger," Yardley writes. "In Massachusetts, a few swimming ponds are closed for lack of lifeguards. Washington has started asking motorists to donate to state parks when they register their cars; Michigan will do so this fall. Georgia is considering corporate sponsorships for its parks. In Idaho, a motorcycle group offered to mow the grass at a state park on the Snake River where it holds an annual reunion."

"Right now, we’re hanging on." Virginia Painter, a spokeswoman for Washington State Parks, which has seen revenue from the new vehicle registration donations fail to meet projections, told Yardley. Still some see a silver lining in the public outcry that has risen to protect parks as reports of volunteerism are up across the country. (Read more)