state parks

Good News! Idaho has a Plan to Keep Parks Open

I was glad to read the article  in the Times News written by Ben Botkin that stated  “Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and Idaho Parks and Recreation Department Director Nancy Merrill announced on Friday plans aimed at shifting the agency’s dependence away from the state’s general fund and making Idaho’s parks more self-sustaining through business plans tailored for each park. . . . “  This welcome plan should have been addressed years ago before they become a drain on our state’s general fund.  According to the article the plan will go before JFAC on February 1.  I have said in several conversations that if they raised the fees slightly, it would help with the cost.   I’m certainly willing to pay $1 more to camp in a state park.  The article didn’t mention any changes to the cost of the annual state parks pass, but a small increase there certainly shouldn’t affect sales.  Until now, I figured very few would even buy the annual pass, not knowing if there were going to be very many state parks still open.  Cudos to those who have worked hard and provided input to come up with a plan.  As a Hagerman resident I am pleased that we will not be looking at closure of the state parks in our area.  Read the entire Times News article.

state parks

Philosophy, finances behind push to trim Idaho PTV

I’ve been reading about another action that Idaho’s Governor Butch Otter is taking to cut costs.  He is trying to shut down Idaho Public Television.  I think this would be a travesty.  I particularly enjoy watching Outdoor Idaho that is produced by this network and know many others who also watch it ans several of the other programs.  Can’t he find solutions other than shutting down Idaho Public Television or dismantling our State Park System?  Read more about the Idaho Public Television proposal.

state parks

Idaho Budget Cutting could negatively affect Recreational Opportunities

I just read about another wonderful state park that is in jeopardy of loosing its funding from the State of Idaho.  That park is Harriman State Park located in Island Park.  It is a wonderful park along the banks of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, home of beautiful, elusive rainbow trout, wildlife, birds, history.  Over the years I’ve visited it in the winter on cross country skis, and in the summer while fly fishing.  It would be a shame to see this park and others in our great state go by the wayside because of budget cuts.  Other parks that are threatened include Thousand Springs State Park Complex  in the Hagerman area.  Communicate with your legislators about these parks and their importance to our communities.  Read more about Hariman State Park, Thousand Springs State Park Complex

Legislative and governor contact information:

Governor

Representative Donna Pence
Representative Jim Patrick
Representative John "Bert" Stevenson
Representative Leon Smith
Representative Maxine Bell
Representative Scott Bedke
Representative Sharon Block	
Representative Stephen Hartgen
Representative Wendy Jacquet
Senator Bert Brackett
Senator Chuck Coiner
Senator Clint Stennett
Senator Dean Cameron
Senator Denton Darrington	

state parks

Idaho’s City of Rocks

Voices.IdahoStatesman.com wrote, “City of Rocks (see photo) is a unique area nestled in the mountain peaks of the Albion Mountain Range. I’ve visited it several times and it’s a great place for camping, hiking, climbing and photography. It’s about 3 1/2 hours from Boise and makes a good weekend trip.”

I grew up less than an hour from the City of Rocks and remember school field trips there and taking my children there for outings.  It has changed a lot since then.  You see a lot of rock climbers and several campsites have been developed.   Nearby a beautiful new campground has been built.  The Almo Park area and Castle Rock State park are nearby.  It is a great area to visit, deer hunt, rock climb and in the winter snowshoe or crosscountry ski.  I’ve taken some wonderful photographs there over the years. Read more information on a public workshop regarding the future of the park.

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