A series of steep budget cuts announced today for Georgia state parks and historic sites will affect several popular areas in the east Georgia region that includes Augusta.
Kim Hatcher, a spokeswoman for the state’s Parks & Historic Sites Division, said the reorganization will eliminate 12 percent of the work force, raise user fees in most areas and reduce access and services at five state parks.
The cuts, which take effect July 1, include eliminating 95 positions. Thirty-two of those are full-time employees who will be offered part-time jobs. Another 81 vacant positions will be eliminated, and furloughs are planned for remaining employees, she said.
Across-the-board cuts in personnel and funding, and increases in parking fees, will affect all parts on the state, Ms. Hatcher said.
One area near Augusta that will be affected is Bobby Brown State Park on Thurmond Lake, where year-round campgrounds will become seasonal and its canvas-sided cabins, known as “yurts,” will be relocated to other parks. Hart State Park, north of Bobby Brown, will close its rental cottages.
Other cuts at sites close to Augusta include the Robert Toombs House in Washington, Ga., which will be open only one Saturday a month, compared to its traditional hours from Wednesday through Sunday, Ms. Hatcher said. Management of the historic home will be handled from nearby A.H. Stephens State Park in Crawfordville, Ga.
Also affected will be the Bo Ginn Aquarium inside Magnolia Springs State Park near Millen, Ga.
Ms. Hatcher said the Department of Natural Resources is working with Jenkins County and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to transfer operation of the facility to the Jenkins County Development Authority.
Other parks close to Augusta include Mistletoe in Columbia County and Elijah Clarke in Lincoln County. Ms. Hatcher said there are no planned cuts unique to those parks.
The cuts are the result of a reduction of nearly 39 percent in state appropriations and a projected 24 percent loss of revenue for the state park system.
The Friends of Georgia State Parks organization responded to news of the budget cuts with an appeal to its membership for more volunteer help for the parks.
“As Friends, we know the decisions were tough and that DNR was left with few options following the legislative session earlier this year which approved these massive budget reductions," said Andy Fleming, executive director of the group, which has more than 40 chapters across the state.
Friends is a nonprofit corporation formed by Georgia citizens to support Georgia’s system of 63 state parks and historic sites. For more information visit www.friendsofgastateparks.org.
Here are specific details of the planned cuts, based on a Georgia Department of Natural Resources news release:
l Beginning July 1, Bobby Brown, Hart, Providence Canyon and Sprewell Bluff state parks will have reduced services with limited facilities, no on-site manager and no emergency services. Neighboring parks will provide oversight. Boat ramps at Bobby Brown and Hart will remain open, but camping will become seasonal. The yurts at Bobby Brown will be relocated to other parks. The five cottages at Hart will close, as will the visitor center and group shelter at Providence Canyon. The only change at Sweetwater Creek State Park will be a reduction in days of operation at the visitor center, from seven to four days per week.
l At 12 state historic sites, hours of operation will be reduced with management transferring to nearby state parks. Operating agreements with nearby communities are being explored, and future closures are possible. The affected sites include Dahlonega Gold Museum, Chief Vann House, Etowah Indian Mounds, Fort Morris, Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, Jarrell Plantation, New Echota, Pickett’s Mill Battlefield, Robert Toombs House, Traveler’s Rest, Jefferson Davis and Lapham-Patterson House. Changes begin July 1.
l Ninety-five full- and part-time employees will be separated from their current positions (of these, 32 full-time employees will be offered part-time positions). In addition, 81 vacant positions will be eliminated, and 23 staff members will be relocated to other sites or have reassigned duties. The agency is making every effort to provide assistance to employees affected by layoffs. The DNR will also implement furloughs beginning July 1.
l On May 20, parking fees at state parks increased to $5 daily and $50 annually. Last year, the ParkPass program generated nearly $3 million for maintenance and construction. Officials hope to generate an additional $1.2 million with the increase. Additionally, state parks and historic sites will begin charging for many services that used to be free, such as interpretive programs and guided hikes.
l Earlier this month, the DNR announced that swimming pools will open only at High Falls, Victoria Bryant and Magnolia Springs state parks and at George T. Bagby, Little Ocmulgee and Red Top Mountain lodges. The lodge pools are open to cottage/lodge guests only, while the High Falls pool is privately operated. The pool at Magnolia Springs will operate with support from Jenkins County and, since the pool at Victoria Bryant is able to generate a profit, it will remain open.
l Operations at all park golf courses and lodges will be adjusted to minimize expenditures and maximize revenue generation. Impacts of these adjustments are not fully determined at this time, but closures may occur.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
You know it's bad that these cuts are happening now when the only 'vacation' some families can take are weekend camping trips.
What a bummer.. But you can bet that those that don't contribute to society's checks will still be in the mail!
When you are in debt up to your eyeballs you've got to start cutting spending. That is change you can believe in folks. Looks like the other people didn't have as much money for the socialists to spend as they thought they did.
When you aren't making money the solution is always raise prices and restrict entry. Are these folks the same idiots that built a multi-million airport with 2.00 Cokes and no food facility? Oh and I almost forgot the wonderful placement of the restrooms at each end of the building, but the offices are in the middle. Yeah, real professional planning all around. BTW, when I was young all state and federal parks were open and free, what happened.