Private contractors to keep state parks open

PALMER -- Mat-Su state parks will be open this summer, but visitors might notice some changes, including higher fees and more amenities.

Alaska State Parks recently announced it had contracted out operation of a dozen parks from Big Lake to Glennallen to private businesses and individuals. Without the contracts, Mat-Su Parks Superintendent Dennis Heikes anticipated having to keep the parks closed for yet another season and further dismantling the facilities.

Instead, several private businesses and Valley residents officially take over the parks as of this week.

"We're scrambling to get the picnic tables back up and repair the damage so the parks are in descent shape when they take over," Heikes said.

Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site will be operated by the owners of Long Rifle Lodge, Lake Louise State Recreation Area will run by private business owner Pinkie Bailey, Valley resident Kerry Bird will manage King Mountain State Recreation Site, and Lifetime Adventures will run Kepler-Bradley, Finger Lake, Big Lake North, Big Lake South and Rocky Lake state recreation sites.

In addition, Dry Creek will be operated by Ancient Spruce, Hart D Ranch will run Porcupine State Recreation Site and DogSong Enterprises will manage Liberty Falls and Squirrel Creek state sites.

While many visitors and Valley residents may be relieved to hear the parks will be open for camping, picnicking and boating, Heikes said they should anticipate some changes at the parks.

"One of the first complaints we're going to get are the increase in prices," Heikes said. "Most of these contractors are going to charge more because they aren't going to be subsidized."

For example, Heikes said most of the contractors will raise the camping fee from $10 per night to $15. They will also be charging for day-use parking, boat launching and firewood. In addition, the private operators may add small stores that sell items such as film and snacks or rent equipment such as kayaks and bicycles.

"They've got to produce more revenue than just camping and day-use parking," Heikes explained. Heikes said Lifetime Adventures, which rents out bicycles and kayaks at Eklutna Lake, may offer similar equipment rentals at the parks it is taking over.

For at least this summer, the private contractors have agreed to accept Alaska State Park annual camping, boating and day-use passes, but Heikes said this could change in the future.

The contracts are each two years, with the option for two five-year renewals if both parties are content with the agreement. The parks were closed last summer due to budget cuts, and Heikes said private contracting became the last option to reopen them. Even with the possibilities of adding revenue-makers such as equipment rentals, contractors weren't easy to come by, Heikes said. He said in most cases he had just one application.

"Nobody's beating down the doors to run campgrounds," Heikes said.

Two area parks will remain closed -- Long Lake and Little Nelchina. Heikes said these two sites do not offer enough opportunity for revenue to make them feasible to contract out.