It is no secret that most states are having budget melt downs as a result of the recession. States rely on revenue from a variety of taxes, pretty much all of which have suffered during the economic down turn. At the same time, services for unemployment compensation, social services and low income medical support are all experiencing increased demands.
Arizona sold a dozen state buildings on a lease back arrangement just this week to try and make up their $2 billion deficit. On Friday the decision was made to close 21 of the 30 state parks to help close the gap.
I will be the first to admit I know very little of the details on Arizona's state budget crisis but I do know a little bit about state park budgets and economic impact as part of my duties as Operations Director for Virginia State Parks. I checked out the operating expenses for Arizona's state parks on their annual submission to the National Association for State Parks Directors Annual Information Exchange.
What I found reminded me a lot of our state parks. Arizona raises 40% of their own operating expenses, $9 million, through fee collections. The remaining $13.6 million is the problem. However, when they start closing the parks, that $9 million will erode and sometimes at a faster percentage than the expenditure savings. We've seen it ourselves when we have had to take significant cuts. If the remaining parks also sustain cuts, they will find the revenue decreasing further.
On face value, parks are good things. Are they essential state services? Maybe that's debatable. But consider what parks are: Parks are a place to relate to nature and recharge your batteries. At a time when the world is troubled, people are in financial crisis, certainly the need to "get back to nature" and find beauty in the world is significant. Then we have the health benefit of exercise and outdoor recreation. When childhood obesity is at an all time high and professionals warn of the dire consequences of time spent indoors in front of electronic devices, parks are needed more than ever.
But maybe that's not enough. Desperate times call for desperate measures after all. What else do parks do? They are a core part of their local communities. They bring tourism dollars to the local area. They buy supplies in the local community. They employ people in the community. They are basically a large business in a rural area. Arizona State Parks employ 295 full time staff. State Parks contribute to the state and local economy. There are a variety of economic models that can be applied to show the value of this contribution. It usually is not hard to get to at least what the state's financial contribution is and often the result is more. Arizona's State Parks reported as much nearly a year ago. For that reason, closing parks is counter productive for the economy. The problem is it takes insight and a look at the big picture to see that. Arizona joins California in states that can't seem to see that big picture.
Are other states out there contemplating the same decision? Hopefully they will reconsider and reconsider making budget cuts that result in stripping the parks from their ability to function and generate their own revenue. Tonight I feel for Arizona park staff, their families, their communities, their volunteers and supporters and all of us who will lose access to these valuable natural and cultural resources.
Related posts:
America's State Parks - a Natural Stimulus Program
Why We Need State Parks
The Value of Parks
Arizona sold a dozen state buildings on a lease back arrangement just this week to try and make up their $2 billion deficit. On Friday the decision was made to close 21 of the 30 state parks to help close the gap.
I will be the first to admit I know very little of the details on Arizona's state budget crisis but I do know a little bit about state park budgets and economic impact as part of my duties as Operations Director for Virginia State Parks. I checked out the operating expenses for Arizona's state parks on their annual submission to the National Association for State Parks Directors Annual Information Exchange.
What I found reminded me a lot of our state parks. Arizona raises 40% of their own operating expenses, $9 million, through fee collections. The remaining $13.6 million is the problem. However, when they start closing the parks, that $9 million will erode and sometimes at a faster percentage than the expenditure savings. We've seen it ourselves when we have had to take significant cuts. If the remaining parks also sustain cuts, they will find the revenue decreasing further.
On face value, parks are good things. Are they essential state services? Maybe that's debatable. But consider what parks are: Parks are a place to relate to nature and recharge your batteries. At a time when the world is troubled, people are in financial crisis, certainly the need to "get back to nature" and find beauty in the world is significant. Then we have the health benefit of exercise and outdoor recreation. When childhood obesity is at an all time high and professionals warn of the dire consequences of time spent indoors in front of electronic devices, parks are needed more than ever.
But maybe that's not enough. Desperate times call for desperate measures after all. What else do parks do? They are a core part of their local communities. They bring tourism dollars to the local area. They buy supplies in the local community. They employ people in the community. They are basically a large business in a rural area. Arizona State Parks employ 295 full time staff. State Parks contribute to the state and local economy. There are a variety of economic models that can be applied to show the value of this contribution. It usually is not hard to get to at least what the state's financial contribution is and often the result is more. Arizona's State Parks reported as much nearly a year ago. For that reason, closing parks is counter productive for the economy. The problem is it takes insight and a look at the big picture to see that. Arizona joins California in states that can't seem to see that big picture.
Are other states out there contemplating the same decision? Hopefully they will reconsider and reconsider making budget cuts that result in stripping the parks from their ability to function and generate their own revenue. Tonight I feel for Arizona park staff, their families, their communities, their volunteers and supporters and all of us who will lose access to these valuable natural and cultural resources.
Related posts:
America's State Parks - a Natural Stimulus Program
Why We Need State Parks
The Value of Parks
Powered by Compendium Blogware
Comments for Arizona Loses State Treasures