Let's talk about the insanity of closing state parks for a moment. Let me rant.
Mendocino County numerically has more state parks and reserves than any other county. We are also very dependent on tourism. Mendocino Village is particularly tied into the state park system as we are on a peninsula literally surrounded by the Mendocino Headlands State Park. The Ford House visitor center, on state park grounds, is the only way in the Village that tourists can get critical visitor information. Virtually all of our guests enjoy our parks and many come here just for that purpose.
There was a compromise of sorts in the legislature. Instead of closing almost all the parks some money was allocated to keep some open but then the Governor removed some of that paltry sum through his questionable line item veto.
Which parks are going to close is still up in the air. They say it depends on the amount of revenue generated rather than the tourism traffic and potential. And even though I keep referring to tourists, all of us locals frequent the parks in our neighborhood on a consistent and regular basis. It's one of the joys of living here.
We are all hoping that some sane compromise, such as rolling closures, will be implemented. There is also some slight hope that local governments and citizen groups will step up to help but the state is "borrowing" from local governments to help make ends meet so there doesn't seem to be much room to maneuver there either. I know Mendocino County had to lay off about 30 employees.
Then there is the impossibility of actually closing some of the parks. They don't have fences. You can block the gate but people can just walk around. You can turn off the electricity but then people will use campfires and leave their trash around, attracting animals and the kind of campers you really don't want. We also must remember this is fire season. Fighting fires costs more that keeping parks open.
And the solution is.... I wish I knew. The financial hurt is spread around quite liberally, hitting many social service programs needed most by those in need. But it seems that by putting obstacles to tourism, which generate huge sums for the state and localities, isn't the way to go. As my mother used to say, its penny wise and pound foolish.
Labels: State Parks
Robert Frost had it right when he said in 1920
