In a story carried by the Press Democrat, earlier this month the California Public Works Board approved a plan to put 11 state parks out for competitive bids for some operations by private business. Included in the proposal were Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and Austin Creek State Recreation Area. Bundling these two along with nine other parks would make them more attractive to bidders. Since the approval it appears Sugarloaf Ridge has come out of the package, as a non-profit group has stepped forward with plans to operate the park.
For the other parks, concession operation could mean operating restaurants, day use facilities, and even campgrounds. While the state claims it has authority to turn over entire park operations to private concessionaires, it says it would rather look into "hybrid" operations, where non-profits would manage some park operations and winning bidders take on the balance.
The problem with that approach, say critics, is that the private firms would vacuum up the profitable sides of parks, campground operations for example, and leave the non-profits holding the bag, attempting to run their portion of the parks with limited or non-existed park-generated funding.
California State Parks are in a funding crisis, and 66 parks are on a list to be closed come July 1. Having the sword hanging over these parks has kept the nerves of all concerned open to the air. In late January a state parks spokesman said that the agency could give thought to allowing private concerns rights to operate entire parks. Opposition groups and individuals reacted quickly, including Senator Noreen Evans, a Santa Rosa Democrat. Evans predicted a "Wal-Mart State Park and Recreation System."
As time rushes on toward the closure deadline the war of words will likely get hotter.
photo: Sugarloaf Ridge SP, California State Parks
I agree that putting the parks under private operations is bad but closing them is even worse. Where do the critics think the money to run them is going to come from?
ReplyDeleteThey can choose:
ReplyDeleteClose 'em up for the rabbits and let them get trashed by who knows,
or
keep them open with private businesses.
Most private campgrounds we have stayed at are well kept. If not we don't stay there.
I support the private operation to save the parks. Many government owned parks of various kinds around the country have campgrounds and concessions run by private businesses. I personally think they do a very good job.
ReplyDelete