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OnCall · 02-06-2010, 10:46 PM

My wife and I were looking into going to some state parks and she noticed that Arizona is closing its parks, at least 13 of them Arizona decides to close most state parks - latimes.com has anyone heard of any other parks closing?

yar1982mmer · 02-07-2010, 12:43 AM

OnCall

We were planning a trip to AZ this winter and noticed the same issue on the State website [see below link].

Arizona State Parks: Press Room

At the January 15, 2010 meeting, the Arizona State Parks Board voted to keep nine parks open and close the remaining thirteen State Parks in a phased series of closures starting February 22, 2010, due to six different State Parks funds being swept of $8.6 million.

I can not believe AZ could not find the funds to cover these parks.

We hope that other states do not go this way….

Ray, Pat, and Crye Babee [RV Traveling Cat]
U.S. Army, SGM, [RET]
2008 Holiday Rambler Neptune XL - 40'

RedneckExpress · 02-07-2010, 01:01 AM

Same old same old. All about scare tactics and punitive punishments for not wanting to pay more taxes. Usual political tactics. California did the same song and dance not too long ago.

dsbike · 02-07-2010, 08:08 AM

There are still several great National Parks & National forests in AZ. From what I have read about AZ is they are the first state to close or schedule park closings but not the only state to consider it.

LindaH · 02-07-2010, 08:35 AM

Many of the state parks in Arizona that are closing are ones that do not have campgrounds, so those closing will not affect the camping public. The ones that are remaining open are ones that actually pay for themselves. While it's too bad that so many parks are closing, in these hard economic times, if the parks aren't at least paying for themselves and are, in fact, losing money, then it's in the best interest of the state to close them. Hopefully, when the economy improves, Arizona will find the wherewithall to open them up again.

Big Bear Local · 02-08-2010, 08:05 AM

While traveling through Arizona last year I was surprised at how many rest stops were closed.

Stillwater · 02-08-2010, 08:57 AM

It's the same everywhere with every government. Look at what the tax dollars did 30 years ago. 15% when into administration of a facility while 85% went into actual on the ground day to day running of these facilities. Today 85 % goes into administration and 15% is begrudgingly given up to the actual facilities that the administration is there to serve. When it comes time to make sweeping cuts to the budget guess where the cuts are made. It's the overfattened administration who make the cuts and they surely aren't going to cut their own fat so the cuts are made out in the field, the very facilities that exists so that the administration exists. Ever spiralling circle to the bottom of the pit

RVThere · 02-08-2010, 09:41 AM

NJ pulled the same scam in the spring of 2009 and threatened to close a bunch of state parks. After the public outcry, they somehow 'found' the money to keep them open.

Let's see if they're on the chopping block for the new governor this spring.

jobriant · 02-08-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Campingman

While traveling through Arizona last year I was surprised at how many rest stops were closed.

Yes, AZ closed most of its Interstate rest areas, and several rest areas on other highways (about 25 rest areas in all) a few months ago, due to budget constraints. The Arizona DOT says that re-opening of some or all of them will be considered after June 20, 2010, once their budget is in place for the next fiscal year.

Dadeaux · 02-12-2010, 04:51 PM

I have always contended that State Parks and Federal Parks, not Federal Monuments, should be run by private enterprise, this would be a great time for Arizona to look into that.

Superslif · 02-12-2010, 05:03 PM

Ohio this winter closed most of it state parks too. They left one open for each area of the state. They also delayed when they will re-open in the spring. Looks like they pushed each park back 2 weeks later into the spring. There are very few full time employees any more for the parks. Ohio once had 2000+ full time employees, now down to the 400-500 range. What a shame...taxed to death....All I know is once they get to a 100% tax rate, there will be no more $$$ from me....