A Unifying Issue: Save PA's Parks

I don't for a moment believe that the state will close R. B. Winter State Park. I do think it's a sign of dysfunctional politics in this state that DCNR put it on a list for possible closure and that the Daily Item put the story on the top of page 1. The park reportedly gets 140,000 visits per year and is a very important recreational destination for the entire region. If any issue could unify citizens across the political spectrum (with the possible exception of a certain branch of libertarians) it's this one.

Given the looming budget problems, we are sure to see more political posturing and testing. The knee-jerk response is to say, "Hey, don't touch my park." A more political savvy response is to ask our politicians why they are forcing DCNR to make such radical proposals that alarm the public. Where are the political leaders to talk to us about what options are available and to plan for the future?

For example, we might start talking about some of these ideas: instituting user fees, changing the way some of the less-used state parks are managed, cutting some park services, figuring out how to raise donations in support of the park system (is there a state park endowment?). We might also reprioritize some new spending to maintain what we have. But the idea that it's a good idea to close an important place for low-cost family entertainment in the midst of recession, a park that is our legacy from past generations--that's just asinine, and everybody knows it.