YOUR COMMENTS

If you lived anywhere near Pisgah Park you would know that it is heavily used for a variety of recreational activities year-round, as well as for natural history investigations, scientific research, and valuable wildlife habitat. Removing the state park status of this site would be a huge loss to to the surrounding communities.
- John, Keene, NH

These state parks are a great havens for natvie species as well as unique recreation opportunities for us two footed creatures. This is absurd that the Sate does not want to keep these parks, this is a short term solution the state will regret. At least push them into the hands of conservation organizations!
- R. Patrick Dudley, New Ipswich

I've been hit as hard by this recession as the next family, but I know this is temporary so I'm not selling off my 401k to pay my weekly bills because these are long-term assets, the same as these parks. Along with many from Massachusetts, I visit New Hampshire on a regular basis (and end up buying gas, food, and extras there) for it's natural beauty and pockets of solitude. That is a rare and precious asset, not just for humans but for our entire ecosystem. Are these parks "underperforming" for our wildlife, rivers, lakes, and forests because they are not overrun with cars and day users? If the state is short-sighted enough to sell off protected public lands, the public should at the very least demand they only be sold off to public trusts like the Nature Conservancy, and not to timber companies and developers.
- Sara, Quincy, MA

Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area is a wonderful place to spend the day, with an amazing gorge, rushing water, picnic areas, trails and all for free. I have a special interest in this area, as my grandfather, Charles White, had previously owned this property, and sold it for a small amount so the state could make it into a State Park so all people could enjoy it. What a mistake to give up our precious resources. Would love to take it over, but as an individual don't have the resources. We must find a way.
- Carol J. Austin, Moultonborough

This is so sad. I love New Hampshire although I am not a resident. I took my first jump off the big rock at Sculptured Rocks 47 years ago. I hope to do it again for many more years. I hope they do not sell these parks !
- Mick, Roanoke, VA

I grew up with many of these state parks, along with my friends and family. They are a treasure and an important part of an increasingly industrialized world. There is absolutely no excuse for the state to close these parks, and there is no excuse for constituents who love these places not to speak up. I will be ashamed of a state that I love if these places are no longer protected.
- Emily, Concord

I enjoy many of these sites, they are true jewels which deserve our care and attention. This is callous, short-sighted state mis-management at its worst. At the same time fish & game is insisting it *must* build a seperate 1.25 million dollar boat launch facility on sunapee rather than rennovate the existing launch at the state beach (run by parks & recreation), we have parks & recreation proposing to sell its core assets due to lack of funds. Clearly, we need to;
- Fire the heads of both departments and merge them into one unit to get coordinated planning and econonmy of scale.
- Rewrite state allocation procedures so all funds from state parks and fish & game operations go directly back to them.
- Rewrite their charter so they are on a pay-as-you-go basis with top prioty to maintain and improve their core assets.

We need a state lawmaker who is willing to stand up and take charge of this. I encourage everyone to write to their local representative and get the ball rolling.
- Jeff Fitzgerald, Sunapee, NH

Having one government entity manage multiple locations, helps advertising tremendously. Many tourists rely on the internet to do research and tourists know to visit a website for state parks. Without central management, tourists would not find Pisgah State Park or Sculptured Rocks. In fact, after a decade of living in New Hampshire, I only found those parks (and visited them) with the help of New Hampshire government sites. Multiple management entities will not help tourism.

Laura Bonk, Concord
- Laura M. Bonk, Concord

Tragedy like similar situations in all the states and the Federal Government. When budgets come up for debate there is little talk of cutting what is extraneous and inflated due to lobbying by special interests. The NH legislature and population has fallen for the spending spree in unfunded mandates since the Shaheen reign. Private individuals and small businesses have been put out of business by the legislature enacting bills that put the responsibility on the State. Rather than be crteative about operating the State Parks the State is just throwing up their hands and saying nothing can be done. Does anyone in NH have any common sense or are they leaving that up to the State legislature also?
- Jim E., Haverhill, MA

As a life-ling resident of NH, and an avid hiker and kayaker, I value these wonderful areas that have been preserved for public use. In a society where access to natural areas is continually shrinking or, worse, they have been irrevocably used for development to benefit the few, we must make every effort to retain control of the areas that are presently protected and available to the public. Once control of these lands is gone, it will be impossible to regain, and the value to the public and our future generations will be gone forever. We must look for economies elsewhere, and not relinquish our unique valuable resources for a short term gain and savings.
- Dr. William R. Osgood, East Kingston

Times are tough right now but the economy will turn around. When it does, we will be without our beautiful parks and open land, never to get them back again. This is a very premature judgement. Lets focus on the other dead wood.
- Joanne, South Hampton

Budget shortfalls are a short term problem. Taking away access to the public resources is forever. We can't do this to our future generations.
- Dave K., Exeter

Sign of the economic times, I'm doing the same thing to survive, selling off the thing I least uses (but love to have). Only to find it is a temporary fix & now I have nothing left to sell. Maybe this will start to put the state in bankruptcy once those funds are gone & then the end of state government and taxes. Slap me I must be dreaming or is this a nightmare ? Cut state jobs and spending is the true answer we know it and the government won't admit it. Maybe the state should put the effort into figuring how to make the park make money, that is what the buyers will do !
- Jeff Szenftner, Sadown NH

So if I understand this correctly we just voted down slots and gaming in NH to raise taxes. And now the trade off is to sell off our state treasures-our parks- that bring in the tourist dollars and boost the economy. What a stroke of genius. I just gotta vote for these guys again.
- Bruce K, North Hampton

I don't think the state has any idea how much use Bedell Bridge state park gets used. I can't see how they classify it as underperforming when it does exactly what it is supposed to do. It is basically a boat launch and historic site on the CT. River. I live one mile from it and most of the spring and summer is it VERY busy with lots of fishing boats, canoes and kayaks as well as some folks just going bird watching or having a picnic.
- Glen Page, Haverhill

I can't believe what I am reading about the state parks in question. Someone who is a political appointee wants to deny taxpayers the usage of a park in their area because someone has setup a means of measurement that declares these underused. If only one person uses the park it has met the purpose that it was established for. If the department can't manage them correctly sign them over to the Conservation Department. Let them manage them and use the fees to purchase additional land.
Then the funds set up for land purchase in the budget could be deleted. Put the purchase of conservation land on a pag as you go basis with park fees.
- Mike, Nashua

Here is what I have been advocating for on a local level. There are a number of unused parks that can be removed from city burden and also sold for capitol to defer property tax rates from escalating!
Also monies received can be applied to upgrade parks that residents do patronize.

Greg Barrett
Kas-Bar Realty
- Greg Barrett, Manchester

I live a half mile from Sculptured Rocks State Park and run a B&B here. The State has absolutley no idea of how many people visit this park on a daily basis year round. It is one of the best swimmin' holes in the State, and there can be as many as two hundred people or more, go through there, on a hot summer day. A major snowmobile trail goes right over the bridge.

Now, if the State instituted a parking pass system, like the National Forest, or a toal gate in the parking lots, they might find these parks are not under achievers, just overlooked by the State.

If they want to give Sculptured Rocks to me and the other "under achievers" to neighbors or abutters to get them back on the tax role, under "Current Use" of course, they and the towns might receive $300.00, or so, a year, for each property. If the State set a parking pass system they might receive a hundred times that much.

I'm just a country bumpkin, but I see a lot of potential in these parks, why can't the State?
- Michael Lemieux, Groton, NH

Before you know it, NH will be a privately held company. Investors would love the opportunity to take this land and develop it. I would invest in a minute

The state needs to hold on to these assets. Don't let a short-term public official dismantle part of the future of the state. Visitors from other states come to visit these assets. Imagine NH with no public beach front? This is New England. We need public beach front.

I agree that almost all of us have never heard of all the parks on the list because the word has not been spread. Talk about these parks, state of NH. I am always looking for new places to explore, especially since I am not originally a resident.
- Tom Donovan, Hooksett

There have been some very valid points made here thus far. I would agree cut spending, lay off non esential workers, stop dumping money from every source into the general fund to make up for short falls. I am a native to this state always except when the gov. made me live elsewhere for a couple years. I have never had a problem paying a sales tax and think it would be good here to have outsiders help out instead of romping all over us and then leave us a mess to clean up ! Bob in Meredith
- Bob S., Meredith

Many people are losing their jobs. Others are having their hours and/or pay cut. The NH state budget calls for a massive increase in spending. However, it looks like at least one part of the state budget isn't run by people completely out of touch with regular folks.

If the parks cannot pay for themselves, then clearly the people are not willing to back the parks with their money. The people have spoken.

Getting rid of these parks in the only sensible thing to do. Maybe some private organizations can do a better job at managing these properties.

I doubt they can do a worse job than the government, either way. At the very least, the taxpayers won't get hosed for tracks of land they never visit, anyway.
- Keith, Keene

Closing these parks is an extradonarily bad move and should be the last step taken after all others have been thoroughly analyzed. As the population increases citizens already have fewer and fewer opportunities for cost effective family recreation. Wadleigh in Sutton for example is a gem and beautiful place to visit, swim, picnic and simply enjoy. Alternative management strategies fine; sale or lease unequivocally no.
- Phil OBrien, New London

Another example of a needless waste for short term gain. These parks were given for the enjoyment of the populace, and not for a quick buck to balance a bloated budget chockful of wasteful spending. Once sold, they will no doubt be developed and pocked with McMansions for the wealthy few who can afford to buy into some of the most scenic and pristine wilderness in the state.
- Marc, Raymond, nh

Close the parks? Whats next? Closeing down the state house?? Well closeing down the state house will save LOTS of Money, Its way past my home state starts looking into other forms of money other the taxes! like a Casino!!!, Lets get people to come to NH, and stop going to CT.!!!!
- R Courtemanche, Denver Colorado

Sheer stupidity. You don't sell assets that are part of your core equity - you stop wasteful spending - even to the point of ceasing operations to maintain assets. Sorry NHDPR, but you're wasting public funds to save your own needless jobs.
- Rob, Portsmouth

You have got to be kidding me! Rye, N. Hampton, Wentworth SP, Gov. Wentworth SP, Endicott? How can these be under performers? The beach ones always seem packed. Wentworth has some of best views for picnicking plus swimming in that great lake.
Sounds like some developers are bending some ears to grab the best parcels to make the most money. Gambling isn't the way either. Remember what/who crawls around other well known gambling places. We do not want that in our state. Don't stand for this. Contact your Reps, Congressman, Parks Dept, etc.
- Alice, Rochester

Development is taking over our undeveloped areas. We need to keep the parks for wildlife, plants and recreation. People are willing to pay a reasonable fee for park usage (day usage of a yearly membership).

Most of the problem is monies received goes into the general fund and not back to the parks, like Lottery funds that are suppose to go to schools and education.
- Beth, Swanzey

I've lived in NH all my life. I recognize 3 or 4 of those parks. I've never heard of these other places. The places may be underachieving because NOBODY knows about them.
- Jim, Dover

I think it would be an awful waste to let these parks go. Where else can one take one's children for a wonderful day out for very little money? Perhaps it's time to start petitioning and get these lawmakers listening!
- Teresa, Canterbury

I would support close examination of this proposal to include public hearings. Perhaps municipalities or even private non-profit groups could do a better job in terms of managing the parks. So, I am not against looking at this issue but DRED should consider public input before doing anything.
- Kevin M, Bow, NH

this is a stupid as selling your house so you can buy gas for your car. control spending, don't sell the most valuable and irreplaceable assets you have. day tripping to parks and camping are probably the single best value activities a family can enjoy. fewer and fewer people understand the value and benefit to our society, i wonder if we are seeing a new generation in state government that doesn't care about this stuff. the best thnig we can do is probably to spend more time with nature in NH, and help support these parks.
- phil, raymond nh

Are you out of your minds? At least try to see if volunteers would/could be able to maintain the parks at a presentable level.

This makes me wonder when NH will consider a sales tax to equally distribute the burden of running a state on EVERYONE that enjoys living/visiting here instead of raping the property owners at every turn? I know that the out-of-staters and non-property owners will holler over this but its time.
How many retirees do you know that spend an enormous amount of their social security benefits on property taxes? I know a boat load.
- Andy Snell, Phoenix, Arizona

How is it that the NH Division of Parks and Recreation decides that Sculptured Rocks or any of the few remaining seacoast beach access points are NOT within their mission? Sculptured Rocks are a unique natural feature that require very little in terms of maintenance ($25K in your report?). And the seacoast beaches are only seeing more use .. not less. The ROI in terms of number of people enjoying those locations vs the investments made in terms of maintenance must be quite high so I'm not sure who is putting this information together but the research sounds faulty. IMHO you would be fools to let go of some of these key parcels because you're never going to get them back for the purpose of returning them to public use for the "public good". If you're having trouble maintaining structures then have them removed if they are not historic. The structures can hopefully be rebuilt in better times. But you'll never be able to get the land back. I'd also hate to see Silver Lake returned to Hollis as they would restrict it to Hollis residents only .. unless you can put access to NH residents in the terms of transfer.
- Jim M, Hooksett, NH

Well , If I were Theodore Roosevelt ,I would Passionately voice my support of maintaining our parks . All parks through out the country should be supported whatever the cost.
Jim Drew
- James Drew, Valrico ,Florida

Oh, my what short sighted foolish approaches to systemic problems-The fruit of lazy politicial leadership- but what's new in Concord- pretty simple on the home front, cut spending and provide for the essentials, the needs not the wants...same applies for the state...the wants need to stand aside until there's surplus money to fund, but selling and leasing public lands....the right to these spaces is a NH need not WANT-
- brenda w, strafford

Closing the parks will not make up the shortfall in the budget - the state needs to CUT spending, and yes, jobs!
- Robert, Laconia

The parks system has suffered from poor management and a lack of vision for years. As the only "self funded" park system in the US is certainly is a challenge to keep things moving but mismanagement and useless marketing has been a big part of what has gotten us here in NH public lands. Selling properties is just a desperate move from a state department that can't get out of its own way.
Last year they even started charging extra for over 2 children at the campground making camping even more expensive for families to camp (we are the only state that charges more for families in the northeast) We are twice as expensive for state park camping as MA, ME and VT are already. That's even more stupid than selling public lands and trusts.
Hiring Ted Austin has now gotten us to this creative highpoint what a great idea “let’s sell part of NH's very limited public oceanfront we have, yeah that will fix it”.
- Arthur, Goffstown