Mat-Su parks seek private operators

MAT-SU -- In an effort to reopen Mat-Su parks, the state is seeking private contractors to run them.

Alaska State Parks is soliciting applications from private contractors interested in taking over parks from north of Glennallen to Big Lake -- Dry Creek, Lake Louise, Matanuska Glacier, King Mountain, Kepler-Bradley at Matanuska Lake, Big Lake North, Big Lake South and Rocky Lake.

Each park is an individual two-year contract except the three Big Lake sites, which are grouped together as one contract.

These parks were closed last summer due to state cuts. Facing the same budget this year, Mat-Su Parks Superintendent Dennis Heikes said handing the parks over to private contractors appeared to be the only option for getting them open and keeping them maintained this year.

"They are slowly becoming trash dumps," Heikes said of the closed parks. While they are not being maintained or closely supervised, the parks are still accessible to the public. In some cases, Heikes said, people are dumping vehicles and household garbage at the sites.

Private contractors may not come to the rescue of the park, however. Heikes said as of a week before the March 21 deadline for most of the parks, he had not received any applications. He had talked with people interested in applying for Dry Creek and Matanuska Glacier, but had yet to receive anything formal.

Private contracting can be a successful option for state parks, Heikes said. Several others in Southcentral Alaska have already gone this route, including Montana Creek. The key, Heikes said, is having an operator who lives near the park and can easily oversee it on a routine basis.

"There is a little larceny in everybody," Heikes said. He said most people will willingly pay for a campsite, but some will wait until someone comes around and specifically asks for it. If the operator is only visiting the park once a week or so, revenue will inevitably be lost.

According to the terms, the contractors are responsible for any day-to-day maintenance of the parks and in return are allowed to keep any revenues they generate. As far as basic fees, such as camping and day-use parking, contractors must remain within the upper limits set by state parks. For example, parks are not allowed to charge any more than $20 per night per campsite or $10 per boat launch.

If private contractors do assume responsibility for any of the parks, it could mean increased opportunity for users. Heikes said the contracts allow operators to set up other ways to make money as long as they fit within the realm of park recreation. The possibilities include canoe rentals or a temporary park store.

Whether these potential money makers will be enough to attract private contracts remains to be seen. Heikes said despite a great deal of local community support, the state was unsuccessful in its past attempt to seek a private contractor for the Big Lake parks. In the end, most applicants will have to look at the bottom line to determine whether or not the contract will pay off for them.

When asked if the nonprofit group Friends of State Parks, Mat-Su, might be able to assist in the event that private contractors do not come forward, Heikes said typically the group has focused more on supplements outside of the routine upkeep of parks.

"It would be a shame to go to a nonprofit to ask for help with day-to-day maintenance," he said.

However, Thomas Burek, the president of the nonprofit group, said it is an option he has considered and plans to discuss with the rest of the group at a future meeting.

At the same time, Burek said he has been frequently e-mailing Gov. Frank Murkowski in hopes of coming up with some other options. Burek has suggested offering Permanent Fund Dividend recipients a chance to donate funds to state parks on their dividend application, among other ideas.

Left without any other option, Heikes said he may be forced to keep the parks closed and remove outdoor grills, signs, toilets and other items.

"There would be nothing left to trash, steal or damage," he said.

More information about applying for the private contracts at the parks is available by visiting www.dnr.state.ak.us or calling the Mat-Su area office at 745-3975.