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 multiple 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 identified an amazing woman Helen Cowles Whitehead my grandmother Born in New York City in and educated there in physical guidance and social work my grandmother moved to Norfolk Virginia as the bride of a physician in and got involved in her neighborhood In the modern day we would call her an activist By the time she died in a insufficient years before I was born she had helped improve population welfare programs throughout the city and in established Norfolk s constituents playground venture 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 certain 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 residents 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 inhabitants use instead of homesteads Early in the twentieth century social overhaul advocates initiated the playground movement in parks to promote medical and happiness constituents 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 area new skills and solace in nature General parks became a firmly established cabinet 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 inhabitants parks should be free or require an entrance fee involves balancing social equity fairness to all and residents fitness benefits against the need for maintenance funding The present day preponderance of us are living with high levels of uncertainty in our personal lives and in our country Affordability is a serious concern A latest poll uncovered 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 selected respite in a inhabitants 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 chosen federal appropriations At least four southern states do not charge any fee for visitors to their society parks It s no surprise that park maintenance and repair costs are rising just like everything else The Georgia Board of Natural Support Board which oversees state park management commissioned a performance audit that of late recommended dozens of solutions 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 manageable 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 particular amount for it That revealed I believe it s wholly 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 residents parks especially as personal and family expenses are dramatically increasing The auditors unveiled 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 Guidance 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 source manager or conservationist The gubernatorial vote 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