After the new governor takes stock of his daunting responsibilities — a budget deficit, an anemic economy, legislators brimming with ideas that may or may not help fix either — he also will take stock of Maine’s assets. One asset whose economic development potential he should not underestimate is the state park system. It may be tempting to assume that management of the state-owned parks, public lands and historic sites is on autopilot. Or worse, to see the parks as a liability.
Eliza Townsend, who leaves next month as conservation commissioner, passionately believes the parks are an integral component of Maine’s vaunted and valuable quality of life. And she worries the new administration may not see this value. When Gov.-elect Paul LePage looks for places to downsize state government, as he must, she hopes the parks are not targets of unconsidered cuts, and that they are not dismissed as pretty but static places in the economic landscape.
Her fears are not unfounded — Arizona closed its state parks, and California and New York considered doing so during budget crises.
Statistics make the case that parks are valuable and valued. In 2010, Maine’s state parks saw 25 million visitors, an increase of 11 percent over 2009. And 2009 visitation was up 8 percent over 2008, even though June and July were marred by seemingly endless rain. While many of those visitors are Maine residents, they too spend money on their outings, as do our out-of-state visitors. Even as the economy floundered, people enjoyed parks. In fact, Ms. Townsend asserts, state parks probably were seen as inexpensive alternatives to destination vacations.
To mark the 75th anniversary of the park system — established at the height of the Great Depression, in 1935 — the Department of Conservation last summer issued its Maine State Parks Passport. The pocket-sized booklet lists each state park, categorized by region. Users were encouraged to pick up a stamp from each park they visited during the year to paste into the book. Some 75,000 were circulated; the passports are a great marketing tool for the parks, Ms. Townsend notes, and the program is expected to continue.
Many of the parks were built in the 1960s, and they have begun showing wear and tear. Bond issues approved by strong margins have paid for some upgrades in recent years, but needs remain, she said. Expectations also have changed, with visitors expecting flush toilets and hot water. A 2006 analysis found $33 million in needed upgrades and repairs. Though money is tight, the new administration can’t afford to ignore these needs, nor should it entertain any radical ideas such as letting private groups operate parks or courting partnerships with businesses that would use the parks as marketing tools.
Maine people love their state parks, and that must be reflected in the new state government’s priorities.