In his excellent story "Still Open" (July 2), John McCoy touted the virtues of the West Virginia State Park system and particularly the propensity of the system to remain open in difficult economic times.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In his excellent story "Still Open" (July 2), John McCoy touted the virtues of the West Virginia State Park system and particularly the propensity of the system to remain open in difficult economic times.
Mr. McCoy touched on the good percentage of self-sufficiency enjoyed by the state parks, the loyalty of park visitors and the lack of an entrance fee as some of the reasons our parks are so successful. As a former 35-year employee of our park system, I wish to offer additional information and give credit to those who are most responsible for the success of our Parks.
First, we are blessed with some of the most scenic parks in the nation.
Second, the legislators and governors who were responsible for the laws that govern the creation and use of our state parks had the foresight to require these lands be maintained in a natural condition in perpetuity and prohibited such activities as mineral extraction, timbering and other inappropriate uses.
Third, my contemporaries and I are probably in the best position to evaluate the operation of the parks and identify things that have been done correctly and incorrectly over the years. I say this because we had the pleasure of working with many of the original leaders and park superintendents; people such as Kermit McKeever, J.C.Boley, Milt Harr, Clyde Crowley, Andy Eye, Nap Holbrook and others who instilled in us a love of parks and knowledge of the appropriate way to keep them natural, yet at the same time cater to the needs of all park visitors. We were also taught to value our employees, from housekeepers to maintenance workers, groundskeepers, carpenters, electricians, the skilled labor of the golf course personnel, interpretive naturalists, office staff and reservation and front desk clerks. In other words, proper stewardship requires a team effort.
We learned that being a park manager or superintendent was not a five-day, eight-hour day job but was a calling that required attention to detail every hour of every day. Such teachings led to a love of our duties and an altruistic attitude toward those who worked on parks and those who visited parks. We had the good fortune to pass these traits on to the current generation of park superintendents and employees who carry on the same tradition. I dare say that although there are many dedicated state employees, there is probably no other group of state employees that shows this type of dedication.
Fourth, parks have had the good fortune to be under the direction of many fine leaders: Directors of DNR and Commissioners of Tourism and Parks, such as Dave Callaghan, Willis Hertig, Ira (Sandy) Latimer and John Brown, who understood the value of our parks to the state and kept the system at arms length from the vagaries of politics.
Fifth, parks for years has provided questionnaires to guests so that they may comment on the service and facilities provided. While the satisfaction level is extremely high, when an issue of unsatisfactory service or a suggestion for better service is received, it is carefully considered and implemented if meritorious.
Sixth, most West Virginia State Parks are located in areas where employment opportunities are limited, so parks provide a valuable source of jobs. If parks were closed and employees were laid off, all communities in the areas around parks would suffer from lost revenues. The state would also suffer as hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales tax that are returned to the state would also be lost. These taxes do not count as a percentage of a park's self-sufficiency. In addition, park employees pay state income tax, which adds to the state's coffers.
Studies by Marshall and West Virginia universities' business schools have shown that state park visitors spend many more dollars for off-park goods and services than are actually spent on the parks. Therefore, to close the parks would result in a net loss of revenue to the state and a loss of jobs and businesses.
A few years ago, I conducted a study on how much revenue was collected on the West Virginia Turnpike as a result of visitation to Pipestem State Park. As well as I remember, it was tens of thousands of dollars yearly. Add that to the revenue lost on the Turnpike by visitors to Twin Falls, Camp Creek and Bluestone State Parks and revenue lost to the Turnpike would be considerable. Remember a goodly portion of this money comes from out of state.
Lastly, West Virginia suffers a dearth of local parks, particularly in rural areas. State parks fill this need and provide wholesome recreation to local residents as well as outdoor laboratories for local schools and an excellent areas for nature studies.
By all accounts West Virginia's State Parks are extremely beneficial, both intrinsically and extrinsically. Given the dedication of State Park employees, they will remain so.
Hudkins lives in Scott Depot.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In his excellent story "Still Open" (July 2), John McCoy touted the virtues of the West Virginia State Park system and particularly the propensity of the system to remain open in difficult economic times.
Mr. McCoy touched on the good percentage of self-sufficiency enjoyed by the state parks, the loyalty of park visitors and the lack of an entrance fee as some of the reasons our parks are so successful. As a former 35-year employee of our park system, I wish to offer additional information and give credit to those who are most responsible for the success of our Parks.
First, we are blessed with some of the most scenic parks in the nation.
Second, the legislators and governors who were responsible for the laws that govern the creation and use of our state parks had the foresight to require these lands be maintained in a natural condition in perpetuity and prohibited such activities as mineral extraction, timbering and other inappropriate uses.
Third, my contemporaries and I are probably in the best position to evaluate the operation of the parks and identify things that have been done correctly and incorrectly over the years. I say this because we had the pleasure of working with many of the original leaders and park superintendents; people such as Kermit McKeever, J.C.Boley, Milt Harr, Clyde Crowley, Andy Eye, Nap Holbrook and others who instilled in us a love of parks and knowledge of the appropriate way to keep them natural, yet at the same time cater to the needs of all park visitors. We were also taught to value our employees, from housekeepers to maintenance workers, groundskeepers, carpenters, electricians, the skilled labor of the golf course personnel, interpretive naturalists, office staff and reservation and front desk clerks. In other words, proper stewardship requires a team effort.
We learned that being a park manager or superintendent was not a five-day, eight-hour day job but was a calling that required attention to detail every hour of every day. Such teachings led to a love of our duties and an altruistic attitude toward those who worked on parks and those who visited parks. We had the good fortune to pass these traits on to the current generation of park superintendents and employees who carry on the same tradition. I dare say that although there are many dedicated state employees, there is probably no other group of state employees that shows this type of dedication.
Fourth, parks have had the good fortune to be under the direction of many fine leaders: Directors of DNR and Commissioners of Tourism and Parks, such as Dave Callaghan, Willis Hertig, Ira (Sandy) Latimer and John Brown, who understood the value of our parks to the state and kept the system at arms length from the vagaries of politics.
Fifth, parks for years has provided questionnaires to guests so that they may comment on the service and facilities provided. While the satisfaction level is extremely high, when an issue of unsatisfactory service or a suggestion for better service is received, it is carefully considered and implemented if meritorious.
Sixth, most West Virginia State Parks are located in areas where employment opportunities are limited, so parks provide a valuable source of jobs. If parks were closed and employees were laid off, all communities in the areas around parks would suffer from lost revenues. The state would also suffer as hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales tax that are returned to the state would also be lost. These taxes do not count as a percentage of a park's self-sufficiency. In addition, park employees pay state income tax, which adds to the state's coffers.
Studies by Marshall and West Virginia universities' business schools have shown that state park visitors spend many more dollars for off-park goods and services than are actually spent on the parks. Therefore, to close the parks would result in a net loss of revenue to the state and a loss of jobs and businesses.
A few years ago, I conducted a study on how much revenue was collected on the West Virginia Turnpike as a result of visitation to Pipestem State Park. As well as I remember, it was tens of thousands of dollars yearly. Add that to the revenue lost on the Turnpike by visitors to Twin Falls, Camp Creek and Bluestone State Parks and revenue lost to the Turnpike would be considerable. Remember a goodly portion of this money comes from out of state.
Lastly, West Virginia suffers a dearth of local parks, particularly in rural areas. State parks fill this need and provide wholesome recreation to local residents as well as outdoor laboratories for local schools and an excellent areas for nature studies.
By all accounts West Virginia's State Parks are extremely beneficial, both intrinsically and extrinsically. Given the dedication of State Park employees, they will remain so.
Hudkins lives in Scott Depot.
