UPDATE: Both the House of Delegates and Senate reported their versions of the budget out on February 21st with no cuts or closures to parks. Thanks everyone for the overwhelming support!
In the midst of a state budget crisis, Virginia's Governor Bob McDonnell released his plans for balancing the biennial budget in a press release on Wednesday.
After two previous years of budget cuts to a budget that was already described as "frugal" Virginia's state parks must close 5 parks in order to reach the $500,000 per year proposed budget reductions. The five parks scheduled for closure July 1 are False Cape State Park in Virginia Beach; Caledon Natural Area in King George County; Mason Neck State Park in Fairfax; Twin Lakes State Park in Prince Edward County; and Staunton River Battlefield State Park in Halifax and Charlotte counties.
The State Parks budget is a precarious combination of the revenue we earn from operating our facilities and money we receive from the state's general fund. The biggest danger for us is reducing the service level at our parks so that our revenue is impacted. This would create a snowball effect that would bankrupt our parks. So at some point continued reductions means we have to close parks to keep the rest of the system viable.
The parks were selected based on a number of economic factors, including they have lower attendance and revenue than other parks, the cost of operation, number of staff, etc. Geographic considerations were made so that no one area would be impacted more than others and due to relatively close proximity to other state park locations. This is not optimal but the whole situation is not what anyone would want.
What's next? The Governor's proposed amendments now goes to the General Assembly for their review. They are responsible for passing a budget bill. The legislature could accept or reject the Governor's proposed amendments. Given that these five parks generate more than $5.6 million in local economic impact, legislators are faced with a choice of closing parks that stimulate ouitdoor recreation and tourism spending in their local communities. We would hopefully know the outcome by mid-March.
In the midst of a state budget crisis, Virginia's Governor Bob McDonnell released his plans for balancing the biennial budget in a press release on Wednesday.
After two previous years of budget cuts to a budget that was already described as "frugal" Virginia's state parks must close 5 parks in order to reach the $500,000 per year proposed budget reductions. The five parks scheduled for closure July 1 are False Cape State Park in Virginia Beach; Caledon Natural Area in King George County; Mason Neck State Park in Fairfax; Twin Lakes State Park in Prince Edward County; and Staunton River Battlefield State Park in Halifax and Charlotte counties.
The State Parks budget is a precarious combination of the revenue we earn from operating our facilities and money we receive from the state's general fund. The biggest danger for us is reducing the service level at our parks so that our revenue is impacted. This would create a snowball effect that would bankrupt our parks. So at some point continued reductions means we have to close parks to keep the rest of the system viable.
The parks were selected based on a number of economic factors, including they have lower attendance and revenue than other parks, the cost of operation, number of staff, etc. Geographic considerations were made so that no one area would be impacted more than others and due to relatively close proximity to other state park locations. This is not optimal but the whole situation is not what anyone would want.
What's next? The Governor's proposed amendments now goes to the General Assembly for their review. They are responsible for passing a budget bill. The legislature could accept or reject the Governor's proposed amendments. Given that these five parks generate more than $5.6 million in local economic impact, legislators are faced with a choice of closing parks that stimulate ouitdoor recreation and tourism spending in their local communities. We would hopefully know the outcome by mid-March.
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Comments for Governor's Budget Proposes Closure of Five Virginia State Parks