(Host) Vermont’s state parks remain popular among residents and out-of-state visitors.
But many of the parks are showing their age, and the state estimates it would cost $40 million to get them back in shape.
As VPR’s Ross Sneyd reports, a special commission expects to make recommendations within a month about how to deal with the backlog.
(Sneyd) There are 52 state parks in Vermont. Many of them date to the Depression, when they were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Director Craig Whipple says parks are kept in good appearance, so visitors don’t always see the shortcomings.
(Whipple) "Most of our infrastructure is buried in the ground – sewage systems, water systems. Our buildings look nice because they’re kept pretty clean and they’re painted. But you look into them a little closer, they really need some serious work. And you don’t have to look that close. What has happened in the last several years, is we’re starting to lose facilities. They’re starting to drop off.”
(Sneyd) For example, a couple of picnic shelters have simply collapsed. A swimming pool at Button Bay State Park failed. And a ski dorm in Stowe also had to close.
So the state parks and a special commission have spent the past year studying options.
Whipple says there has been debate about whether Vermont still needs, or can support, the full complement of 52 parks.
(Whipple) "There may be shrinking back of some campgrounds, there may be reconfiguring some parks, adding perhaps some facilities … Closing would certainly be among the options. But that’s very touchy. These places are very, very important to people. ‘’
(Sneyd) Win Smith, the president of Sugarbush Resort, is chairman of the commission. He says some basic questions are being asked.
(Smith) "Are they meeting the public need? Are they serving what the public will want in the future? Is every park structured properly? Is every park necessary?”
(Sneyd) Money still will be needed to repair parks, even if there are fewer of them.
Smith says he believes his commission will recommend partnerships with private companies or foundations to raise at least some of that money.
He doesn’t envision any of the state parks being renamed to honor a corporate benefactor. But he says the state will have to be open to acknowledging – in some way – financial support from private organizations.
For VPR News, I’m Ross Sneyd.