Alabama to close state parks.
Our governor has given an ultimatum to close several state parks next month and additional parks beginning in 2016. He's trimming down budget if he can't get his new tax increase passed. I hope he'...
Forum Discussion
Perhaps there's a need to change the way some states fund their state parks and who controls them.
Michigan for instance, requires it's state parks to be self-funded and it's working just fine. It's a separate division under the jurisdiction of the Michigan "Department of Natural Resources" (DNR).
The Numbers:
101 State Parks - nearly all have one or more campgrounds from about 500 campsites on down in size
16 Harbors and have dockage with facilities
10 Lighthouses under their control
6 Scenic sites - lookouts
In approx 4.5 million acres
1600 fulltime employees
1400 seasonal employees
State Park revenue comes mainly from the following:
The $11 per year per vehicle added ("optional" at the Michigan yearly vehicle license renewal and gets a "P" on the plate stick-on tab - approx 70% do pay the $11) which gives free entrance to and including all persons in the vehicle to any and all Michigan State Parks for the year, birthday to birthday, of the vehicle's owner. Towable RV units behind a stickered vehicke do no need a sticker nor do trailered boats. Motorized RV units do. Motorcycles are $5 daily or the annual pass.
Out of state registered vehicles for daily or annual entrance fee stickers. Non-resident registered vehicles entering a Michigan State Park a total of 4 days in a year really should buy an annual sticker as it's cheaper than 4 daily and good for an entire year at any Michigan State Park.
Campground daily site fees
Just a quick overview of Michigan's State park system.
$11 for an entire year of so many excellent state parks etc use anytime anywhere for even a carload of people is so cheap and yet help keeps the state park system financially healthy! What's not to like and it works?
Michigan for instance, requires it's state parks to be self-funded and it's working just fine. It's a separate division under the jurisdiction of the Michigan "Department of Natural Resources" (DNR).
The Numbers:
101 State Parks - nearly all have one or more campgrounds from about 500 campsites on down in size
16 Harbors and have dockage with facilities
10 Lighthouses under their control
6 Scenic sites - lookouts
In approx 4.5 million acres
1600 fulltime employees
1400 seasonal employees
State Park revenue comes mainly from the following:
The $11 per year per vehicle added ("optional" at the Michigan yearly vehicle license renewal and gets a "P" on the plate stick-on tab - approx 70% do pay the $11) which gives free entrance to and including all persons in the vehicle to any and all Michigan State Parks for the year, birthday to birthday, of the vehicle's owner. Towable RV units behind a stickered vehicke do no need a sticker nor do trailered boats. Motorized RV units do. Motorcycles are $5 daily or the annual pass.
Out of state registered vehicles for daily or annual entrance fee stickers. Non-resident registered vehicles entering a Michigan State Park a total of 4 days in a year really should buy an annual sticker as it's cheaper than 4 daily and good for an entire year at any Michigan State Park.
Campground daily site fees
Just a quick overview of Michigan's State park system.
$11 for an entire year of so many excellent state parks etc use anytime anywhere for even a carload of people is so cheap and yet help keeps the state park system financially healthy! What's not to like and it works?
