Parks closed, Valley open

Frontiersman editorial board

State representatives from the Valley visited Big Lake on Friday to demand the opening of nine Mat-Su parks that fell victim to budget cuts. The idea was to send a message to the governor and to show support for businesses that might be affected. It's good to see Valley representatives sticking up for Valley people.

It doesn't seem likely all the fuss will affect any meaningful change, though. The parks are closed, and those close to the budget claim the money simply isn't there to open them. The session is over. The special sessions are over. No amount of shouting will be heard by ears that simply aren't there. We've reached that point at which politicians begin to distance themselves from the bad news -- or begin to explain it in terms we'll be better able to digest. Some say the budget actually grew for next year. Others say it only looks like it grew. Some say it's a liberal conspiracy to make conservative lawmakers from the Valley look bad. Others say the Mat-Su and Fairbanks closures make sense because the parks are concentrated in those areas, so it's a more manageable plan. In the end, the reasons serve only to blunt the reality. The parks are closed.

Much of the focus has been on the economic impact of these closures. There will be some effect to be sure. It doesn't have to be a disastrous summer, however. Local business owners, people who rely heavily upon summer tourism dollars, have already suffered. Much of that suffering, though, may have more to do with confusion than with closed parks. Coverage of the events has helped to create an atmosphere of panic over the parks issue. The fact is, while the state parks will not offer services, they are still available for use. More importantly, several private parks -- offering access to the same lakes and recreational opportunities -- are still open for business. Recreation is still alive and well in the Mat-Su.

The answer at this point may well be to shift gears and save the summer. It's critical that businesses and the owners of those private parks get together and get the word out that the Valley is still the best recreational spot in the state. There are still places to launch boats, and the lakes, streams and great camping are all available to anyone who will just look. In many cases, the private parks are right next door to the closed state parks. For hiking and biking, the state parks are still available, too. You can't drive in, and there are no services available, but you're more than welcome to hike or bike in. If you do, just keep the place clean and safe for everyone else. Those parks will open again, and it will be easier to do that if we all help protect them this year. The private parks have all the amenities, though, and they are reasonably priced. Some of the parks are closed, but the Valley is still wide open.