Maintain our parks

Why?

Massachusetts' 450,000 acres of state forests and parks offer a wealth of resources to local communities including tourism, quality of life, and recreational opportunities. Massachusetts has historically been a leader in parks. We established the first metropolitan park system in the United States, but lately we have devoted less time and money to our parks than most other states. Over the past six years, the operating budget for parks has been cut by 25%, and half of Massachusetts' state park campgrounds are unstaffed overnight. This has led to trespassing, littering, illicit parties and has become a public safety issue. In addition, neglected parks could result in reduced revenue from tourism as well as reduced quality of life for residents across Massachusetts who want to enjoy their local parks.

How?
To ensure that these parks are properly maintained and thus attractive to visitors, we are calling for a $40 million increase in the budget of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) over four years, and passing of the Park Revenue Act. This act would:

Allow the department of conservation and recreation to retain all new revenues in excess of levels reached in fiscal year 2007.
Limit the amount of revenue that can me retained at $20 million or for 10 years, whichever occurs first.

Advantages
Tourism in Massachusetts is responsible for an estimated $19.7 billion in spending, over 200,000 jobs, and $6.3 billion in wages annually. If we take the steps to properly maintain our parks, the tourism industry can continue to thrive and expand. In addition, local residents rely on our parks for recreation, open space, solitude, and to connect with nature. It's time to restore the parks that make Massachusetts such a great place to live.

Status

The House is currently debating its Fiscal Year 2009 operating budget.

Next Steps

Once the House budget is passed, the Senate will release its own budget. A Conference Committee will be chosen to reconcile the differences between the two budgets and develop the final FY2009 budget. The governor has the opportunity to veto line items within the budget before signing the budget into law. With a 2/3 majority, the legislature can override the vetoes. The entire process is expected to finish by July 31, 2008.

Contact
Nancy Goodman, Environmental League of Massachusetts, 617.742.2553.