N.H. considers adoption program to perform upkeep at state parks
CONCORD, N.H. - Up for adoption: a 5,000-ton boulder the size of a small house - the largest of its type in New England - listed as a National Natural Landmark and in one of New Hampshire’s money-losing parks.
New Hampshire’s park system, the only self-funded system in the country, is looking to hand over some care and control of as many as half its 71 parks because the system can’t afford their upkeep.
Tomorrow, Madison selectmen are voting on whether to take over maintenance of the 17-acre Madison Boulder Natural Area from the state.
State Representative Jeffrey St. Cyr, a Republican from Alton, said he hopes other towns, businesses, and citizens’ groups will preserve smaller state parks in need of attention that the state no longer can provide. He has filed legislation to form an adopt-a-park program to create a formal process for volunteers to take on specific tasks, whether to haul trash or clear specified trails. The House will consider his bill next year.
St. Cyr modeled his plan after the state’s adopt-a-highway program, under which groups volunteer to pick up litter and are recognized with small signs along the road they patrol. St. Cyr envisions similar plaque recognition for park upkeep.
Similar parks and highway litter programs exist elsewhere in the country, but New Hampshire relies on a few profitable parks to support its entire system.
State Parks and Recreation director Ted Austin said the system is carrying a deficit of about $1 million. The annual parks budget - not including the state ski area - is about $6 million.
New Hampshire adopted a self-funding model for its parks in 1991, expecting annual revenue from the parks and ski operations to pay for operation and maintenance. The parks system has only managed to cover its expenses twice over the years.
State Park System Advisory Council chairman Dick Ober said in July that a fundamental paradox exists between state laws requiring the parks system to protect and preserve the system and the 1991 law making the system self-funding. The annual deficits make that hard to achieve, he said.
St. Cyr came up with the idea after a draft of the state’s 10-year master development plan for parks was released last summer. It identified 27 parks that produce no income - including Madison Boulder - that the state seemed willing to lease or sell. Many of those parks are so small they don’t charge an entrance fee.
After a public outcry, state officials withdrew the draft for further work, saying it was misinterpreted and that they never intended to sell the parks. The new draft is scheduled to be released Nov. 23.
Austin said the state needs help maintaining one-third to one-half of the parks. St. Cyr’s adopt-a-park program is one option his agency supports, he said. He added that the agency is now drawing up agreements with a few volunteer groups.
The proposed Madison agreement would allow the town’s Conservation Commission to use grant money and funds raised by the nonprofit Geological Society of New Hampshire for park upkeep, said Brian Fowler of the Madison Conservation Commission member. The state would retain ownership and oversight.
