53 State Parks Proposed for Closure

[jandar]

Time for some environmental payback?

Someone want to switch Scott's tea with St Johns River water next time he is in Jax?

[Jaxson]

I apologize in advance for sounding crass, but I hope that Florida closes all 53 state parks to serve as a lesson to us Floridians for voting based on slick advertising campaigns...  We put Mr. Scott in office, now we have to live with the consequences...

[tufsu1]

This is what happens when people refuse, under any circumstance, to consider tax increases

[BridgeTroll]

This is what happens when people refuse, under any circumstance, to consider tax increases

This is also what happens when people who could and should vote... Dont bother to.

[billy]

to close Fort George is unthinkable.....

[dougskiles]

I'm guessing Governor Scott doesn't spend much time at our state parks.  We went to Goldhead State Park for a cub scout campout and lucked upon the 'Yesterday Festival'.  I asked my kids afterwards which they would rather do, spend a weekend at Disney or a weekend running around in the woods and learning a little something about history.  The state park won - which is good for me because we spent less than $50 this weekend versus the $500+ we would have spent at Disney.

A replica of the Hunley (Confererdate States of America submarine):


Buttermaking:


Sawmill (from the 20's):


Tool horse:

[Captain Zissou]

-Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, Gainesville

That is one of the most geologically unique places in Central Florida.  I went there on a date once and just happened upon 10-20 Native American chief's, shamen, and tribesmen performing sacred rituals and blessings for the area.  They said that park is sacred and one of the great treasures of the area.  To shut that down would be a crime.  So it should feel pretty familiar for Voldemort.

[Jumpinjack]

Good point, Captain. These park personnel are local people who will become unemployed. They live in these towns or rural areas and contribute to the economy there. The park will be closed to the public but open to vandals, poaching, and desecration of special places. Neighboring landowners  will certainly get some of the spin-off too. Nice, eh?

[Ocklawaha]

Wow can you imagine what a cool 4x4 course will be created out of the Millhopper?

Also, those who think we should be punished failed to notice I SURE AS HELL DIDN'T BRING HIM IN!

OCKLAWAHA

[Jason]

Guys, I'm not sure that the parks will be turned over for development.  It seems that simply closing them will only eliminate access (i.e. closing down the ranger stations, tours, etc.) but the lands could still be retained as preserves and later reopened.  I don't know that this is the Gov's intent, however.

[mbwright]

is this just a shot over the bow, or a real threat?  Who knows what Scott really plans to do, and it seems like he won't let anybody really know.  I feel that closing these, will only allow the vandals and others to cause problems.  Along with the dollar amount saved, how about the number of jobs that will be lost?

[JMac]

BTW - this list came out in October.  I don't remember who the governer was then.

http://bruceritchie.blogspot.com/2011/01/florida-house-members-uneasy-with.html

State agencies last fall were asked to come up with 15-percent budget cut proposals for the upcoming fiscal year. State legislators are confronting a potential budget shortfall of $3.62 billion as they head into the 2011 session.

In response, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in October proposed measures including saving $6.5 million by closing 53 parks that are only open during daylight hours. Those parks represent one-third of the 160 state parks but they have combined attendance of nearly 1.1 million, or 5.4 percent of statewide park visitation. (To download the list, click here)

[stjr]

It's one thing to make a list, another to implement it.  Wonder if any attempt was made at considering public-private alliances for these parks.  If they are so "small", volunteers could probably help a lot too.

Though, I again go back to my original thought, this is a false saving toward balancing the State budget if we are going to magnify the State deficit by eliminating the corporate income tax and reducing property taxes. 

[JMac]

DEP came up with a BS list to provoke a public backlash.

[stjr]

Here is a thought:  $6.5 million to keep these parks open or that amount plus another $1.5 million in annual cash outlays (exclusive of capital expenses) to keep the Skyway going each year?  Is there really any contest?    Just shows what we could do if we had that money available for other projects.