At a time when the ax is hovering over much of state government, the Department of Natural Resources is hoping to float $5 million in bonds to build more campsites and cabins at some of its most popular parks.
The idea is to make the parks more self-sustaining, says Becky Kelley, the DNR's director of parks, recreation and historic sites. The system brings in 69 cents for every dollar it spends, with state-owned lodges and golf courses the biggest losers. The plan, which currently includes Cloudland Canyon in northwest Georgia and four other state parks, has the governor's backing.
Nature lovers stand to benefit. They currently can find reservations for overnight stays at the parks hard to come by from spring to fall and on holidays, said Wally Woods, the parks division’s chief of operations and law enforcement.
Last year, during the budget process, legislators told DNR officials that they needed to develop a strategy for making not just the parks -- but also lodges and golf courses -- more self-sustaining.
That edict presents the biggest challenge with the state-run golf courses and lodges, which lost a combined $4 million last year. Efforts to privatize both failed in the past, but DNR officials hope by March to know whether any private company is willing to partner with the state to operate them, Kelley said.
The strategy of investing in more cabins and campsites for the state parks is based on history, she said.
State parks make the most money “when people spend the night with us,” Kelley said.
Richard B. Russell State Park, near the South Carolina border, is a good example. The park turned a profit in 2008, taking in $545,781, or about $63,000 more than expenses, Woods said.
At times, the park has up to an 11-month waiting list for its 28 campsites and 17 cottages. By putting $2 million of the $5 million into creating 50 additional campsites, the DNR forecasts the park could boost revenues by $200,000 a year.
Each campsite has bathrooms for men and women, utilities and other amenities.
What should nature lovers expect to pay? Fees vary for camping, depending on the level of amenities and whether the facility is lakeside.
Agency officials stress all plans are subject to change, but have told legislators they also are looking at additional campsites at Tugaloo State Park near the South Carolina border and more cottages at Fort McAllister Historic Park near Savannah.
At a fifth park at Skidaway Island near Savannah, they may try to attract people who aren’t quite up to roughing it by adding a few so-called camping cabins, where cooking takes place over a hot campfire and there are opportunities for sleeping inside.
“This is going to give [visitors] a transition to nature, but with some of the comforts of home,” Kelley said.
These are “fairly popular at many places across the country,” Woods said.
State government is hard-pressed in these tough economic times to fund new projects. Gov. Sonny Perdue has cut $1.2 billion from the state budget, which took effect July 1, because of a revenue slump and
Perdue has proposed issuing long-term bonds in fiscal 2011 to raise the $5 million. That recommendation is part of the 2011 budget that lawmakers are still reviewing.
Last year, the DNR took a series of what were described as "heart-wrenching" but "businesslike" moves to deal with a 39 percent budget cut, as well as a 24 percent drop in revenue. These included reduced services at some state parks, shorter days at some historic sites and increased fees for lodging, recreation and parking. The agency also eliminated dozens of jobs.
"That has really strained the system," Andy Fleming, executive director of Friends of Georgia State Parks, said of the staff cuts. "We think the $5 million is a really good start."
Ricky Schaeffer, a part-time student and carpenter, was at Cloudland Canyon earlier this month. He planned to stay at the park for one month, but stayed two.
"I've really gotten to know the park well and its staff," Schaeffer said. "I hike the trails on a daily basis. They’re just wonderful. The canyons are gorgeous."
He stayed at one of the park's campsites, preparing for a summer in the Smoky Mountains. "I was here building up my muscles."
Park growth
Georgia's parks, historic sites, golf courses and lodges were 69 percent self-sufficient in fiscal year 2009, compared with 65 percent in fiscal year 2008.
Subject to change, here's where the Department of Natural Resources would like to invest the $5 million requested by Gov. Sonny Perdue in the state budget:
• Add 25 campsites at Cloudland Canyon; cost estimated at $1 million.
• Add 20 campsites at Tugaloo for about $650,000.
• Add six cottages at Fort McAllister for about $1.2 million.
• Add 50 campsites at Richard B. Russell for about $2 million.
• Add three to five camping cabins for about $90,000 at Skidaway Island.
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