Source: Resources for the Future surve
What types of challenges do state park directors face? Perhaps they can be solved with a Buy-A-Bench memorial bench or picnic table program.
Resources for the Future, non-profit organization founded in 1952 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., conducted a study a few years ago of state park directors to get an insight into the types of challenges they encounter and how they rank them in terms of minor problems or huge headaches.
The group's mission is to apply economics as a way to develop more effective policies on the use and conservation of natural resources.
Not surprisingly, results from the survey revealed lack of funding as the No. 1 headache. As states have tightened their budgetary belts, it seems the places that many legislators like to pick on are state parks.
According to the study, the majority of park directors said that insufficient funds for capital expenditures (excluding land acquisition) and construction of new facilities was either a Major Challenge or a Huge Issue to them.
The response was the same when asked about funds for operation and maintenance of parks. The majority reported this as a Major Challenge/Huge Issue.
Funding to buy lands was mainly considered a Major Challenge, but not as much as a concern as maintaining the parks.
A program offering memorial benches is a great way to offset park expenses
It's kind of difficult to think about expanding state park land when it's difficult just to keep it in great shape for the public.
Luckily, some of the other issues that park directors face were not as pressing. Here's a breakdown of their responses to these categories:
Congestion or Crowding - the majority said this was mostly a Minor Challenge with the next highest number claiming it was a Significant Challenge.
Complaints from Citizens about Park Conditions - despite the cutbacks in funding for park operations, most visitors are good sports about the situation. Park directors said this was mostly a Minor Challenge for them.
Insufficient Use of Some Parks -mostly a Minor Challenge.
Determining How to Best Provide Access to Different User Groups - most said this was a Minor Challenge while the next largest sample said it was a Significant Challenge.
Conflicts Between Different Uses of the Same parks - Minor Challenge.
Changing Popularity of Nature-based Recreation - Minor Challenge.
When it comes to recreational activities, here's the breakdown:
Camping - most park directors said this activity was Increasing Moderately with the second most reporting it was About Constant from their experience.
Hiking - the majority said this was Increasing Moderately with many others reporting they believed it was Increasing Significantly.
Water-based Recreation - About Constant but leaning towards increases according to other respondents.
Fishing - rated About Constant.
Hunting - becoming slightly less popular with the majority saying it was Declining Moderately.
Sightseeing by Car - rated About Constant.
Wildlife Viewing - this activity is showing a Moderate Increase with others saying it is about the same.
Bird Watching - more people are traipsing to parks with binoculars as this came in with an Increasing Moderately vote from most park directors.
The following two responses offer both hope and concern.
Outdoor Recreation Overall - here's the positive result. Most park directors believe this is Increasing Moderately. That's great news. It means more people are gathering outdoors, perhaps sharing a meal at a picnic table under a great big sky and breathing some real air.
Outdoor Recreation Among Youth - not so for this group. Most officials said the use of parks by young people is Declining Moderately. Perhaps young people are becoming too engrossed in their video games and social media to get out of the house and see the real world.
As you can see, while there are a good mix of positives and negatives from respondents, money appeared to be THE major hurdle they faced and probably still face today as states continue to curtail spending and tax revenues continue to grow at a snail's pace.
What's ironic is that state parks use very little resources - a few roads, some park benches, maybe a few picnic tables. The staffs work hard to create whatever activities they can for free or for as low a fee as possible.
But as we reported in an earlier blog, researchers in the UK found parks and green spaces create a documented lift in people's spirits. Makes them happier. Elevates their mood in a way that can be sustained as opposed to a wedding or landing a new job (how often can you repeat those activities?)
This benefit is something that state officials and legislators might want to pay close attention to. Rather than cut funding for parks in tough times, maybe it's smarter to encourage more use of parks to elevate the spirits of citizens in general and give them some inexpensive things to do.
Memorial Benc
Another option is to invite sponsors and donations. Start a Buy-A-Bench program where people can donate a memorial bench in the name of a loved on. Those benches will become a long-standing tribute to a relative that can be appreciated by the entire community. It doesn't have to be just memorial benches, you can basically add a plaque to anything - park picnic tables, outdoor trash receptacles, outdoor drinking fountains, you name it. You walk in some museums today and virtually every piece of furniture, wall, or other accessory has a donor's name on it. What's a better outdoor museum to the wonder of nature than a park or a big open space?
To read a full account of the State Park survey, go here.
For park managers on a tight budget who want to explore the idea of memorial benches, picnic tables or other sponsored site furnishings at an attractive price or fast shipment, request a FREE catalog from The Park Catalog. Or you can speak to one of our helpful representatives about our QuickShip program and other solutions to fit your particular situation.
Here is information on memorial benches.