Arizona Will Close Nearly All State Parks By June In Fight With Budget Deficit - LA Times

[hatrack]

Wrestling with a multibillion-dollar budget deficit, Arizona decided Friday to close nearly all of its state parks, including the famed Tombstone Courthouse and Yuma Territorial Prison.

The State Parks Board unanimously voted to close 13 parks by June 3. Eight others had already been closed, and the decision would leave nine open -- but only if the board can raise $3 million this year.

The action represents the largest closure of state parks in the nation, although several other states are considering similar moves. "It's a dark day for the Arizona state parks system," said Renee Bahl, the system's executive director. "We have 65,000 acres around the state and the majority of them are closing."

The Arizona parks receive about 2.3 million visitors per year who bring about $266 million into the state, Bahl said.

EDIT

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-arizona-parks16-2010jan16,0,319764.story

[DBoon]

1. but I thought it was only the left wingers in California that had budget problems?

If you listen to CA right wingers, our problems are unique and based solely on tax-and-spend Democrats driving out business and causing ordinary people to suffer an unbearable tax burden

Gee, you mean this *isn't* the case?

[TxRider]

4. As far as I know

Only 2-3 states aren't fighting deficits.

California's deficit just dwarfs the others.

[phantom power]

2. I'm feeling the pride.

:(

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

3. More land to hunt on!

This also solves the problem of illegal pot farms in state parks!

Twoforone!!!