Parks funding signals tough future for state park system

Spectrum by Toby Riddell

Is the future of our state park system in jeopardy? If park funding over the past 10 years is any indication of our state park's future, then we are in serious trouble. Without the dedicated efforts of our park administration and park rangers, I am afraid we would be without these important recreational and environmental assets. Out of the 14 state parks, recreational areas, and recreational sites located in the Mat-Su Borough, managed by Alaska State Parks (Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation), only four remain under state park management. The remaining parks and recreational sites have either been closed or contracted to private vendors.

I have served on the Mat-Su State Parks Citizens Advisory board for 10 years witnessing the decline in funds to operate our parks and the resultant growth of deferred maintenance. Deferred maintenance costs were estimated to be in excess of $42 million as reported in January of 2001. Outhouses and portable water systems over 35 years old are only a few of the many items needing to be addressed.

About the only significant funding our park system has received during the recent years has been from federal highway funds administered by the Department of Transportation. These funds were generally used for roadside enhancements such as pedestrian/bicycle trails, rest areas and scenic viewpoints. Park advisory boards, Friends of State Parks, and other non-profit groups have been successful in obtaining a few grants for trail improvements, winter trail grooming, and safety programs for some of our park units, but by there is not enough money to address deteriorating park assets.

Most park visitors believe park fees are utilized for park operations. This is not the case. All campground user fees collected are required to be placed in the state's general fund and it is the legislature and administration's responsibility to allocate funds for the park operations and capitol improvements. Declining state revenues have severely impacted park's ability to manage the day-to-day operations of the largest state park system in the country.

The annual growth of state park visitors continues to challenge park administrators to do more with less money. Alaska residents are the most frequent users and at 3.8 million visits per year, our state parks see almost twice the visitation of Alaska national parks. Plans to develop visitor services on the south side of Denali will no doubt increase the demands of operating our park system.

We need to find a permanent solution to insure the sustained operations of our state park system. We are running out of Band-Aids and duct tape for repairs. We are losing experienced and valued employees, and we are sitting back watching our state park assets deteriorate beyond repair. It's not fiscally responsible to waste public resources without taking appropriate action to remedy this problem.

This is only one division of our state government. How many other state departments are sacrificing our assets due to inadequate funding?

Alaska State Parks is greatly impacted by the growth of tourism and resident visitors. We should not be cutting back resources for a growing industry; but we should be allocating funding to maintain and improve our recreational and environmental assets. Whether funding comes from allowing state parks to retain their user fees, implementation of a state sales or income tax, or issuing bonds to address deferred maintenance, the future of our state park system is at stake. The future of one of Alaska's greatest resources is in jeopardy.

I encourage everyone that loves Alaska's outdoor and recreational assets to get involved. Attend State Park Citizen Advisory Board meetings, join a "Friends of State Parks" organization, or write your legislators. Alaska State Parks needs your support.

Toby Riddell was 2003 chairman of Mat-Su State Parks Citizens Advisory Board.