Today’s Burlington County Times has an article on the proposed closings of nine state parks which I have written about in previous posts on April 4th, April 5th, and April 9th.  In this installment of the saga, corporate sponsorship is being considered as a way to keep the parks open.  The Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa Jackson said that alternatives are  being considered but that “amping and swimming — the most expensive services — might not be retained.”  She also stated that “new or increased park fees and sharing services with local governments and nonprofit groups that support parks were among other options to keep parks open.”

Again, New Jersey needs to listen to other states.  The state of Washington considered corporate sponsorship in 2006, according to the article, “to find new money for repairs and construction.”  This matter never reached the point of being voted upon.  The folks in the state of Washington decided not to commercialize their parks. In fact, Washington’s Centennial 2013 plan looks like a way for citizens to become involved on an intimate level in maintaining, improving and expanding their parks.  The State of Washington seems to have a culture in which the parks are valued as a treasure of the people and for the people.

Hopefully, the good people of New Jersey will see that our parks are a sacred trust for ourselves, our children and grandchildren and will keep them open.  July 1st would be the date of closing for the designated parks — only 64 days away.  The saga continues . . .