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King George state park among five on chopping block in governor's budget Date published: 2/18/2010
By RUSTY DENNEN A mecca for bald eagles and eagle lovers in King George County is one of five state parks targeted for closure by Gov. Bob McDonnell. McDonnell's proposed budget calls for the temporary closure of Caledon Natural Area, along with Mason Neck State Park in Fairfax County, False Cape State Park in Virginia Beach, Twin Lakes State Park in Prince Edward County and Staunton River Battlefield Park in Halifax and Charlotte counties. If the budget is approved as proposed, the parks would close to the public, but a skeleton crew would remain on hand as caretakers until the budget situation improves. Gary Waugh, spokesman for the state Department of Conservation "We looked at attendance figures, and these were among the lowest in terms of attendance per year," Waugh said. "And we were trying to spread [closures] out geographically so no one part of the state would be hit harder than others." He added that in each case there are other state parks nearby to take up the slack. For example, Westmoreland State Park, farther down the Potomac River, is less than an hour away from Caledon. Revenue also was a factor, he said. There are 35 Virginia state parks, and this appears to be the first time such a closure has been proposed since the first state parks were built in the 1930s, though a similar scenario was discussed and rejected in the mid-1990s. Operations in several parks were reduced in 2003. Waugh said the closures would save about $500,000 a year. There are about 20 permanent staff at the five parks, and another 20 hourly workers. At Caledon, there are a park manager, chief ranger, park ranger and secretary. The park ranger position is vacant. Waugh said that if the cuts stand, the parks would have to close by July 1, but it could be earlier. "Does it make sense to gear up in May and June for the summer season and then close July 1?" he asked. No full-time workers would be let go; about half would be moved to fill vacancies in other parks.
Date published: 2/18/2010
The new Gov is terribly confused. The ABC stores generate more than $100M in PROFIT for the general fund but he wants to sell them for a 1 time cash infusion for a few road projects. DAH !! Shortsighted blind ideologies are the name of the game.
for the state then they wouldn't close it. There is no way they shut down a program that is actually making money.
as a Jamboree site! Rent out campsites with tents and portable toilets when they aren't there? King George is a backwater when it comes to history, it seems. The surrounding counties had more significant events, so they draw more people.
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