With all the recent talk about slashing funding and possible closures of state parks in Utah and elsewhere, it’s encouraging to see people looking for creative solutions to keep these gems viable for the enjoyment of the public.
As the economy continues to struggle, many states, including Utah, are forced to look for ways to trim the fat out of their budgets. What constitutes budgetary “fat” is a topic of endless debate, but one thing is for sure — state parks are on the chopping block from California to Maine in these lean fiscal times.
States are approaching this challenge in various ways. A recent legislative audit in Utah pegged a handful of money-losing parks for potential closure, and suggests handing at least some park functions over to the private sector.
There are strong opinions on both sides of this issue, but Utah might do well to consider a third option that is gaining traction in a growing number of states: Corporate sponsorship.
New Hampshire, Maine, Virginia, Georgia and California are among those that are exploring or have already formed partnerships with corporations in a bid to bolster their ailing park systems. Most recently, Idaho is looking at bringing corporate sponsors on board as a new source of revenue.
There are some creative ideas floating around, such as placing company logos on interpretive signs or park staff uniforms, just to name a couple.
Surprisingly, this possibility is not specifically addressed anywhere in the 86-page Utah audit.
Park officials in states that are considering this option say they’re walking a fine line, and they’re right. Over-commercialization of our parks would cheapen the experience of visiting them, and would run counter to their intended purposes.
State parks serve numerous important functions in our society. In addition to being vital to the preservation of our cultural and natural heritage, they often serve as gateways for children and others to get involved in a wide range of outdoor pursuits.
I wish this discussion were unnecessary. However, if the alternative is handing park management entirely over to a for-profit entity, or closing a park altogether, then some sort of limited corporate sponsorship is an option that Utah would do well to at least consider.
