Coral Hospitality will take over 5 Georgia State Parks

Lodge and restaurants at GA Veterans have been privately run for a while..(I think since the lodge was built) State DNR still runs campground and park facilities, so maybe there won't be as much change as we fear. I love our GA state parks and really enjoy the interaction with the state folks.. and hope to host in many of the parks soon.

Son of Norway, I agree fully with your post, and really wish that it can be that way. However, when politics and greed get into the Public Trust, I becomes just another way to steal from the average, unsuspecting folks. Hopefully, if we keep pushing, and teach our following generations to care about it, maybe it will be better.

I really had heard nothing about this. I have always wondered how a private company could operate at a profit and a state park (with many volunteers) could not at least do the same thing.

I am so sorry to hear this. Lake Lanier Islands and Stone Mountain are examples of the wonders of private management. Three of the slated parks are regular stops of ours, not so sure now. Both Alabama and Georgia have embraced the concept of state parks as "full-service resorts". Florida has resisted the attempts of several governors to move in that direction. It's all about the basic perception of the role of state parks (and $$$$$). lizzie

"the state is planning to make $5 million in improvements"

I hope the citizens of Georgia realize that their tax money and natural heritage is being handed away to profit a few owners of a large corporation that will only make it more expensive for the average person to enjoy what should be their birthright.

Miles

P.S. and Noel I would be the first to agree that if Coral Hospitality was bearing the cost and risk of owning a state park that they should enjoy the profits. But that is not the case in these private give-aways of what should be part of the public trust.

After several years of staying in and working in various government operated campgrounds and parks, it is easy to see why making them private may be one of the better decisions. As with most government operated functions, poor management, waste, overspending and underpaid workers and overpaid management is a common and observed fact. Private operations, while tending to profit oriented functions, are able to control and manage better, without the political graft and overspending associated with government operations.

WOW that is sad news to hear, although I would rather this happen than to close them period.
But with all changes comes a price, what is that price going to be?
I do not tink it is fair to remove all the workers and make them re-apply,for their job, that aught to be a stipulation as part of the deal that any worker wishing to stay is able to keep current pay & position, But if they choose to leave than it is what it is.
You know the state closed the trout fish hatchery beside moccasin creek state park. I remember that place as a kid :(