Above the Waterline: Fees double at state parks, despite budget surplus 

Fort Mountain State Park Courtesy Explore Georgia When my mother moved into nursing care numerous years ago I became the custodian of our family history dozens of large envelopes bulging albums and even a small horse-hair trunk They contained handwritten deeds certificates wills and other memorabilia from the late s to the s In this unorganized jumble of births deaths news stories old photos and family trees I determined an amazing woman Helen Cowles Whitehead my grandmother Born in New York City in and educated there in physical schooling and social work my grandmother moved to Norfolk Virginia as the bride of a physician in and got involved in her region Nowadays we would call her an activist By the time she died in a scarce years before I was born she had helped improve constituents welfare programs throughout the city and in established Norfolk s society playground scheme in five city parks As a longtime advocate for rivers parks and other natural areas I like to think that my DNA mix may contain chosen of her genes Beloved Green Spaces Georgians love parks Whether located in cities or remote areas they are places where people can go for physical and mental well-being a way to manage stress in an increasingly stressful world In the oldest inhabitants park in America was created as the Boston Common Two and a half centuries later the first national park was established as Yellowstone National Park and the first state park in at Niagara Falls State Park in New York The preservation of California s Yosemite Valley in by President Abraham Lincoln was an early example of land being set aside for society use instead of homesteads Early in the twentieth century social modification advocates initiated the playground movement in parks to promote wellness and happiness society safety on crowded streets and reduce crime The first municipal playground was installed in New York City Child and family welfare advocates including my grandmother saw the immense benefits offered by this innovative largely government-funded concept People of all income levels and abilities could find population new skills and solace in nature Society parks became a firmly established leadership responsibility nationwide Population green spaces are also essential to democracy They function as social infrastructure providing shared accessible places in nature that can foster a sense of locality The question of whether residents parks should be free or require an entrance fee involves balancing social equity fairness to all and constituents soundness benefits against the need for maintenance funding At present preponderance of us are living with high levels of uncertainty in our personal lives and in our country Affordability is a serious concern A newest poll located that a majority of Americans say they re spending more on groceries and utility bills than a year ago At such a time with a budget and reserve surplus of more than billion why did the state of Georgia decide to double the cost for its citizens to find exercise and specific respite in a residents park Entrance Fees Georgia has nearly state parks and historic sites that attract millions of visitors every year Maintenance of these sites costs about million annually half of which is offset by various user fees including for a daily parking pass or for an annual pass The remainder is supported by state and various federal appropriations At least four southern states do not charge any fee for visitors to their inhabitants parks It s no surprise that park maintenance and repair costs are rising just like everything else The Georgia Board of Natural Materials Board which oversees state park management commissioned a performance audit that in recent days recommended dozens of avenues in which Georgia s parks can generate additional revenue from their millions of annual visitors Unanimously the Board voted in favor of one recommendation to increase parking pass fees Daily passes will be doubled to and annual passes increased to beginning in January A variety of other services from golf fees to cottage and campsite rentals were also suggested as attainable revenue generators the state says it has no timetable for implementing those increases now Tone-Deaf and Callous It s true that people often value an opportunity more if they pay various amount for it That explained I believe it s absolutely tone-deaf and downright callous for the Board of wealthy political appointees to make it more expensive for families and veterans and senior citizens to enjoy Georgia s society parks especially as personal and family expenses are dramatically increasing The auditors identified that the daily pass could increase annual revenue by million and that hypothetically million might be raised if percent of Georgia s registered vehicles paid for the discounted park pass At the hearing before the Board vote Mark Woodall legislative chair for the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter summarized the concerns of those opposed to the fee increase The state parks of Georgia should be for all the people of Georgia regardless of income With over billion in reserve it would be outrageous for the state parks to increase fees In these intricate times we ought to be encouraging people to get outdoors not making it harder Members of the Georgia Board of Natural Materials are appointed by the governor All existing members were appointed by Republican governors over the past two decades Not a single one has experience or training as an environmental scientist engineer biologist environmental educator natural supply manager or conservationist The gubernatorial poll will take place in less than a year Voting matters The post Above the Waterline Fees double at state parks despite budget surplus appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta