YOUR COMMENTS

Hopefully everyone here is contacting their local representative's to prevent These 27 parks from being terminated.

This is a very poor decision by a handful of people who probably never use these parks. When they are gone, they are gone for good. This is a short term fix with long term implications. Yeah, the economy is in the toilet, but lets not flush our state parks too.
I have included the name of a web site in defense of Pisgah State Park, and i would like to encourage others to do the same for their favorite parks.
Links to outside URLs are discouraged, but but we are trying to help here and people need to get involved,
so you have to look it up as a name
or just put it back together.

friends of pisgah dot host56 dot com
- Ron, Winchester

What short memory the NH leg. has. Have they forgotten that they passed and implemented the FIRST gambling sweepsstakes in the nation, thereby creating the climate for all kinds of slots, casino, etc. thru0out the country. NH, wake up, and build a casino near Pease. It will provide convient access to all of New England and more. If your smart enough to do this, it will end your revenue problems.
One reason that I now live in Florida, (besides the snow) was because the property tax structure in NH is never going to be solved by the leg. without a major change in their additude.
- Lou DiBernardo, Citrus Springs, Fl

After reading all of these comments I find most of them repulsive. I have yet to figure out how gay people getting married or women having abortions has anything to do with the state parks closing. The government, both parties, have failed somewhere. If you are truly concerned then you should be sending letters and e-mails or making phone calls to your local government officials not with insults but with possible solutions. The state parks are there for everyone to enjoy so it is up to all of us to help keep them maintained. Complaining about the liberals, that also use these parks and post comments, is not going to accomplish anything. It just makes you sound bigoted and prejudice.
- Samantha, Manchester

Open spaces, preserved natural habitat, scenic views, and historic sites are defining elements of New Hampshire. To eliminate or transfer any of these sites would be a slap in the face to what makes New Hampshire such a destination, and will end up costing more revenue in the future from lost tourism and related income.
- Andy, New Durham

I have to say that your state is doing a good job. I have used the NH state parks while I lived in Taxachuetts back in the early 90's. I am now a park manager in the state of Kentucky. We are in a similar boat. Our access to public land is free, but the expnese of keeping it free is out pacing what we take in as revenue and our grant for the legislatures budget.
If the public would help pick up after itself, and not destroy structures, garbage cans, and a mulituted of other necessaries to run a park. We all would have more funding. Constantly replacing equipment that is damaged or destroyed is expensive. On the labor front, we use alot of prison labor.. unfortunately if they act up or misbehave we loose them. Labor is always going to be an issue. Health care, retirement systems are strapped because instead of going to a primary care everyone runs to the ER...

How does this all relate to parks.. it drives up the expense line... while the revenue line slowly.. nigh.. quickly shirnks over time.

M, KY PARKS
- Mike, Gilbertsville, Kentucky

This is what you get for voting Dem. They have no respect for anything that they didn't put there own name on. Those parks are useless to them and they don't need the rec area because they all have a nicer property of their own and the money to buy people to take care of it. They live on our backs.
- Rich, Concord

State parks were intended for the enjoyment of everyone, Not as a source of revinue for the state, Through taxpayer money and use fee's, The parks are supposed to be self supported, Let's not become Maqssachussetts, and put a price tag on something that was already paid for, and/or watch the hacks and relitives line up for a cheap chunk of "our" pie!
I live here, I pay big taxes here, I should have the right to rome and recreate public lands here, forever!!!!
- Robert Judge, Londonderry

I don't understand why Mt. Cardigan is on this list, the waterbars, markers, bridges, steps, etc. on the trails and the mowing, trash cleaning, and bathroom facilities in the parking lot are all maintained and have been for many years by wonderful volunteers who love and care for it, and who are not recognized or thanked enough for all of the time and effort they've put into it, not to mention the expense of tools and supplies needed to do the jobs!
We are very fortunate to have these people, and we welcome and encourage more of you to join the Cardigan Highlanders and or the Friends of Mt.Cardigan to keep it going for generations to come!
- sue, Canaan

After some amount of searching, I finally found this report, and instructions on how to comment publicly. You can do via email. http://www.nhstateparks.org/planning-development/development-plan.aspx

Rather than complaining, I would suggest that concrete suggestions on how to change the plan.
- pwerme, Boscawen

Maybe we should get our "which way is the wind blowing" governor to legal marijuana and use the revenues from legal state sales to support the state parks. That way, we could all get high and continue to enjoy the natural beauty of our parks that are so important because they allow access to all residents that we may not otherwise have.
- Loy, New Boston

It is obvious to me that Johanna Lyons must not be a native of NH. If Mount Cardigan does not fit the criteria, then I am troubled with the model. It must be because there is no room for a toll booth?
We NH residents continue to lose sight of our heritage and this is one more step in the wrong direction.
Disturbing to read first thing in the morning.
Respectfully,
Mark
- Mark, Lockehaven

If the state wants to give some state parks away or simply let it be managed by a non-profit/charitiable organization I would be happy to organize such a group of dog lovers where we could manage and conserve some state park that would be suitable for an off leash recreational area that we could use for recreational purposes for us and our dogs. With 38% of the NH population having one or more dogs in their households it shouldn't be to hard to find enough dog owners who would be willing to help run, maintian, and raise funds for such an off leash recreational state park. Even if NH doesn't close any of it's parks it is ridiculous that the state doesn't have at least one state park area where well behaved dogs are allowed off leash for recreational purposes with their owners.
- Dave Bigelow, Manchester

The following is an engraving on the Hannah Dustin monument, a small island park in Boscawen, NH with no user fee. There is not a lot to see, except for dear old Hannah. I can understand why it is an under performer. When the State took control of this property they understood perpetual care was part of the deal. If they want to rescind the deal now they will have to seek out the families of the givers and return the property to its rightful owners.

“Statua
Know ye that we with many plant it. In trust to the State we give & grant it. That the tide of time may never cant it, nor mar nor sever.

That pilgrims here may heed the mothers, that truth & faith & all others, with banners high in glorious colors, may stand forever.

Witness B. F. Prescott, Isaac K. Gage, Nathn Bouton, Eliph S. Nutter, Robert B. Caverly “

I’m sure the State is blowing smoke to get you pay more; they are stuck in most of these properties that were given and accepted by them by legal contract, such as the contract written on Hannah’s Statua.

That said; here is an idea for our parks dept. Why not use prison and or county farm labor to solve your maintenance budget problems? How much would that save the state a year? The City of Concord has used prison labor to keep up the cemeteries in the city for years. Why can’t we save money and get these people to pay us back at the same time? Get the chain gang on the bus and get going, it is time they pay us back, and don’t forget to give them a 15 minute swim before they go home if they are cleaning a beach. They do need an incentive after all.
- Don, Tooky

If the stupid state goverment is going to tax us all to poverty we'll need some free state parks to visit.
Lease Cannon and use the money to keep the other state parks. Use the money from the Sunapee lease to support the park system and not suppose Cannon.
- Sunshine, HEnniker

I just finished the complete Strategic Capital Improvement Draft 06-09. Although it clearly represents a good effort and lots of hard work, I found it lacking.

The report identifies several established sites as "surplus to the state's needs." yet it provides absolutely no details on specifically how that determination was arrived at for each site. The specific scores, ratings, and commentary for each site are nowhere to be found.

Also missing from the report is even a minimal accounting on how the costs and revenues for the system are broken down by site. We're left with very little information on how much each facility brings in vs how much it costs to run. Similarly, utilization information or other metrics representative of the sites' value are not shown.

I'd expect a report with such a bold finding to include more attachments and a lot more information.

Without this supporting information I'm left wondering if the report represents someone's political agenda, an effort by a less-than competent team, or an incomplete rush-job by an overworked and understaffed agency.

In any case, despite being a big fan of our state parks and recreational sites, it doesn't leave me eager to send more money their way!
- Jim, Portsmouth

If New Hampshire uses some of the money it obtains from the rooms and meals tax to improve state parks, more tourists might visit New Hampshire.

New Hampshire might obtain more money from the business profits tax if more tourism related businesses and non tourism related businesses decide to locate near better state parks.

If more tourists visit New Hampshire, New Hampshire might obtain more money from the rooms and meals tax. If more tourists visit New Hampshire, more people may be employed by restaurants and hotels helping to reduce the need for food stamps and Medicaid.

If New Hampshire has better state parks, many local governments may obtain more property taxes.
- Ken Stremsky, Manchester, NH

Underperforming?
DA!
Have any of our Reps/Senators ever been to Sculpuured Rocks? It's a bridge over the Cockermouth River.
What's underperforming, the bridge or the river.
PS: The Boston Globe featured this as one of New Hampshires gems. Perhaps the flatlanders know something we don't.
Perhaps a Massachuseetts developer would like to purchase.
- WKW, Bridgewater

Seeing as the picture with the article is Wadleigh state park I can see why
it is an unperformer. They stopped stationing any state employees there
several years ago and therefore removed the draw of the boat house that
rented canoes and kayaks for the lake. They also made it the honor pay
system which gets it ignored right away. There is regular bus loads that go
there in the summer time along with a lot of people that still like going
there. Now if they want more people to go there I'm sure I can let out the
info that there is a park here in NH with no one there to check what you do
and post the info in Lowell , Worcester and Haverhill to draw many of the
immigrants to the area and quickly fill the park up every day.

On the other hand maybe it is time to sell off all and I mean All of the state parks to private companies and groups. They would charge a fair market value for the services needed to open and maintain the parks. The state could still claim that tourism is the big draw here and we would be the same as the rest of the New England states that have no public access beaches. If you want to use a park they pay for a yearly access sticker and the day trippers could pay and arm and a leg to go there. The end result is the state drops a part of the budget the requires either state funding or state employees and the locals get more control over who can use "there" facilities. Besides I think Jeness beach and others like that would look great with a bunch of high rise condos there instead to improve the local tax base.
- Don Armstrong, Henniker

Sell the State House let our gang of petty tyrants do their business online, save all that travel money too!

There is very little by the way of "services" at Jenness or N Hampton Beach. I'd consider toilet facilities just common decency. For that cost any of us can go have a fine QUIET time at a lovely piece of NH coast that is otherwise largely obscured by the homes of the wealthy, many from out of state, and or the ugly disaster that is Hampton Beach.
- Billy, manchester

It's becoming very clear that we have a real shortage of common sense in Concord.
- Brian, Farmington

Hello? We do not own land. We hold it in trust for our grandchildren, and their children. So the State that gives the fewest dollars to public education, and has no bottle bill now seeks to sell State parks? Why? Oh, to save money we can waste on Budweiser and blunts? So the land becomes the exclusive playland of the wealthy Beamer/Escalade crew? So we can have condos behind every tree, like Cape Cod? So when our great-grandchildren are lined blanket to blanket in those few parks with swimmable water temperatures, they can thank us for our stewardship and foresight? Welcome the New Hampshire, the way life shouldn't be!
- OTG, Manchester

Where in your story does it say that the State is going to sell anything?

Here is your quote on the under performing parks, "The category C list requires "alternative management strategies," and the plan suggests transferring the 27 parks to local government, nonprofits or other federal or state agencies. It also suggests private-public partnerships to maintain them."

Learn the truth before having a knee-jerk reaction.
- Dan, Belmont

maybe they should just sell it we dont need parks this is New Hampshire you can go to New Jersey they are the garden state and it is not the gov't fault it is the low lifes from laurence mass
- Dick J, Derry

I for one am sick of seeing our waterfront / ridge top lands being sold to developers for condo's and post and beam mansions. This drives up everyones local tax rate, fragments wildlife habitat and forever impacts the landscape of our beautiful state. If you want to own in NH, you should LIVE here. If you want to own in NH but not live here, you should be taxed astronomically and that will fund what little park and rec area's we have left.
We might also "find" some funds by trimming the state police ranks and their ridiculous retirement benefits and the double time traffic duty pay they receive so they can sit in their cars and talk on their cell phones. It's quite a racket they have been getting away with for years, wish I could retire @ 45 like they do...
Lastly and most loudly spoken, income tax. Get over it, it's needed and way overdue !!!

See you in Peterborough !!!!!
- Jeremy Barnaby, Thornton

I find this totally unacceptable. We as taxpayers should be enraged at even the thought of this. I do have an idea. Why don't we follow one of the business models of one of the states that actually can run their own parks? Surely there must be one of the 50 states that has figured out how to do this?
- Lyle, Manchester

Treey in Dover said "As usual, the Democrats have to pick up the mess that those selfish Republicans left behind."

Yeah...that's pathetic at best, Treey. the Democrats are doing such a great job at fixing all those "mistakes" that us selfish Republicans made. So great in fact that in the short time your pathetic party has been in control, you've managed to completely destroy all that New Hampshire was when I was growing up. The party of intolerant socialism has also managed to do the same on the Federal level. Please do us a favor and stop "fixing" things.
- Mike, Temple

You want your parks. You want them to have bathrooms and boat launches and trash cleanup and all the wonderful services. And you want it all to be free.

Grow up.

I hike, camp, and picnic in our parks. The staff's always been pleasant and helpful, which is pretty impressive considering they're paid almost nothing and are massively understaffed. As a businessman, I'd be asking exactly the same questions as the State Parks Director: Given the amount of money coming in, how can I best support the organization's mission in the long term? They're in a tough spot and rational feedback and suggestions would be much more useful that childish whining.

Wake
- Rich, Manchester

This would be a bad irreversible move for our state. I am all for having limited facilities or no facilities at some of these places. As a long time mountain biker I think it would be easy to form local clubs that would volunteer to maintain the trail systems in return for a good place to ride. Also with very limited coastline most of the parks in that area are always packed. I do not understand how they can be called under performers
- William, Barrington

The comments on this site are laughable at best, embarrassing at worst. If you read the ARTICLE and not the ignorant COMMENTS you would know that the parks were left to fend for themselves by that genius Gregg and his "forward thinking" Republican administration. As usual, the Democrats have to pick up the mess that those selfish Republicans left behind.

Instead of bashing our current governor for dealing with the mess, why don't all you Einsteins send him letters with actual solutions? Seriously, there appears a lot of "experts" in land management posting here. Go ahead and be part of the SOLUTION instead of ginning up false controversy about the problem.
- Treey, Dover

It's definitely something to be proud of when people in a state realize that in tough economic times that state parks SHOULD be paid for with private funds. It's something to be proud of that I can use a park and pay for it like I would any other service instead of forcing my neighbors to pay for things that I like. It's called responsibility.

I wish some other commenters would gain some self worth and donate to keep the things you like open instead of looking to the state to steal it from your neighbors. Shameful.
- Anton, Seabrook

People People People...this is just posturing and political hijinks being orchestrated by George Bald to "threaten" closures unless he gets more $'s. It got your attention, didn't it??
- George B., Manchester

What will the State do with all that money they'll be making on these sales? Oh I know, more money for welfare of the illegal immigrants, unwed mothers and their young ones, etc.

Certainly the State wouldn't use the money to fund the "wait list" for services for the disabled citizens who have been waiting for years for this funding to come about.

Keep the parks! Keep our green space in the great State of New Hampshire!
- Charlie B., Bedford NH

If you dont want to pay taxes then you should just shut your mouth on this subject. I can hear the moaning already when johnny right-wing cant take his little brats to the state parks. You get what you pay for.
- Jake, Manchester

"New Hampshire is the only state whose parks rely totally on gate receipts for funding. "

Wow, that is great for NH. Too bad the other 49 states are so poorly managed when it comes to government land.

Hopefully all 27 states are sold to corporations (non-profit or for profit). otherwise, the taxpayers are going to have to pay for these tracks of government land, which is wholly inappropriate.

If Art and other people want to pay for these unwanted state parks, they should put their money where there mouth is. Demanding that your neighbors use their money to pay for a stretch of government land which they have never been to is a terrible thing to do.
- Keith, Keene

Meanwhile, we're still giving people welfare for five years instead of two, attracting people here to live for free on taxpayer dollars.

This is what Democrats do. They're locusts.
- Mike R., Bedford

I would suggest to all the folks who are upset by this to ask themselves how they can help. It may be by volunteering your time and expertise or perhaps by donating money. This seems to be the most productive way I can think of to help this situation. Given the budget mess in Concord, it's highly unlikely the state will step in with a solution.
- Todd, Atkinson

I love a lot of the protestations here - it's the Democrats who are in power! It's the Republicans who passed the self-funding plan!

Guess what folks? It's US who are responsible. They're state parks, and we're the ones who put these people in charge and let them do the things they've done without repercussions.

Who can fix this? WE can. WE, the people, are the ones who have to call, email, and/or write letters our state senators, demanding that they fund the parks, not sell them. If they don't listen, you vote them out. WE are the ones who have to go to these public input meetings and express our outrage. WE are the ones who have to, if necessary, stand in front of the statehouse and say "This is crazy, don't do it!". Because WE still have the power, if we want to get up and use it instead of sit around and point fingers at others and complain, but do nothing.

There are plenty of environmental groups in this state that should be organizing rallys, buying TV time, and organizing letter writing campaigns - open space advocates, trail advocates, snowmobile clubs, hunting organizations, all have a stake here. Where are they when we need them?
- Mike, Bedford

What has this proposal accomplished to date? 27 NH parks are 'slated for potential sale or give-away'. This does not ensure that this will happen, rather it is perhaps a public awareness tactic for discussion and potential implementation of change to the 'fee-based' funding of the parks which admittedly is failing. The scare tactic seems to have accomplished this just given the amount of posters responding negatively to the announcement in a short duration of time. It has also though drawn attention to the poor management of the 'fees' generated and managed by the Parks and Recreation Department under the Department of Resources and Economic Development. If it is the belief that a wrong decision was made in 1991 to initiate this funding plan then why has it continued to operate this way for 18 years since? If the State of NH cannot find ways to generate revenue from sunny beaches and parks in 18 years and 72 months of operating schedules and budgets then what is the State of NH capable of generating and managing for revenues and budgets in general? I challenge each of us to put on our thinking caps and propose in your posts ideas for generating the revenue needed. Additionally, evaluate current expenditures and costs in the Parks and Recreation budget – viewable on the state website. What do you view as areas for improvement? In essence, be a do it yourselfer auditor. I propose three ideas: extend the amount of parking meters to include street parking rather than just the parking lot. Countless cars park for free along the roads but use the same beaches, facilities, resources, and maintenance costs. Alternately, if this is not possible or feasible then charge an access fee to be designed accordingly. Keep the existing meters in effect year round so that those who use the beach in the winter months contribute their fair share too. This would also alleviate confusion caused by the parking meters since they are effective starting May 1 but the operating schedule for the beaches do not begin until Memorial Day. Why should that parking meter fee be contributed to lifeguard schedules, for instance, if they were not on duty and not available at that time? Be consistent: while meter effective dates are May 1 at some beaches and parks you could park for free at Wallis Sands State Beach in a very large parking lot up until Memorial Day. Why aren't those parkers paying their share of the fees? Are there any other fees than parking meters and parking tickets?
- Patti, Portsmouth, NH

Thats right KB from Berlin.......its Bush's fault........"they're" not running the show now are they?
- AMC, Troy

Annett State Park is a dump anyway, get rid of it!
- Ben, Rindge

Enough with the liberal bashing, already.

The decision to not spend a single dime of State money on parks was made back in 1991 by a Republican governor. The 'good old days' you all seem to remember so incorrectly.

As usual, that poor decision now has consequences that the Democrats have to deal with.

New Hampshire is the only state whose parks rely totally on gate receipts for funding.

That should not be something to be proud of
- Art, Portsmouth

well, John Lynch is Gov Deval patrick of MA brother. I moved away from urban life and now NH is urban life... people voted for donkeys this year, and that's what they get... shame shame shame....
donkey's are only cute on tv, silly people.
- mark milliken, Rochester

Seriously, has anyone from the Parks Department tried to find a parking spot at either North Beach or Jenness beach? The lots are full in the summer and are still half full in the early fall. These resources are used and used consistantly by people that want a beach experience, not the fried dough, loud music, etc found at Hampton Beach. We only have about 12 miles or so of coastline in NH and the Parks Dept wants to sell 2 prime beach properties to service a short term budget need. Not acceptable!!!!!
- Pat, Nashua

This is without a doubt the worst idea I have seen yet. If there is no cash for maintenance, then close the gates for the time being. But don't, for crying out loud, sell or give away these irreplaceable parcels of land. I can only hope this is a shock tactic by the division to draw attention to their funding problems.
- Dexter, Grand Bois

Now we all know why Alison McLean, a loyal and superb Recreation and Parks Director , was pushed out by the Governor and Commissioner and their cronies. She stood up to them when they wanted to privatize Cannon Mountain and no doubt would have stood up to them on privatizing our parks which is where this is headed. Her replacement was a ski industry executive who immediately moved forward to privatize Cannon.

A bogus audit detailing defiiciencies which existed structurally for decades before she came along was the lame excuse used by the Governor and Commissioner to bring in their business buddies to dismantle the place. The bogus audit was a fraudulent show to force out a non partisan non political excellent manager who was told to do a job and then not given the tools to do it with. Simply so the political contributors could stick their snouts into the Cannon Mountain ski area and now valuable waterfront real estate. Who knows, the Senate may yet get their wish and have casinos on former state land.
- Paul Needham, Derry NH 03038

How much for Kearsarge?

This is all thanks to that champion of conservation, NH's own Judd Gregg, who served as governor in 1991 (with a Republican majority) when this wretched idea of self-funding for the state parks went through. Some posters here want to blame the current democrats, but it was Republican Gregg who started the demise of the state park system with the self-funding plan. Parts of the system have atrophied due to deferred maintenance, etc. as a result, and, to nobody's suprise, here we are. If Republicans were in charge right now, the story would have been the same, but the headline would have announced "privitization" and that the private sector could better manage the resources than We, the People.

Stop ranting. Start thinking.

This is a democracy, mostly. That "useless" government conservatives want to go away is actually us.

Let's find a way to save the parks!!!
- KB, Berlin

It is a trend for the gvt to cut parks and recreation when in need for money. The fact of the matter is that parks and recreation are crucial for a community and is counter effective against crime
- Jim, Sutton

We should consider selling to highest bidder and let these places be developed to assist in state tax base. We don't need these parks that are not profitable to run.
- Dick J., Derry, NH

I thought the Democrat party was beholden to the Evironmentalist's? This just goes to show they will sell out anybody or anything to advance their socialistic money grab.
Some change we can believe in?
- JAY TIFFANY, WARNER

Once the parks are gone, the money spent on their upkeep will be freed up for heath services for illegal immigrants, late term abortions without parental notification, gun confiscation programs, sex changes for prison inmates, recruitment of minorities to "diversify" our state and, last but not least, a whole host of "Sally has Two Mommies"-type story books for kindergartners. Think of the potential boost to all these progressive causes that will accrue when Solly the developer gets his hands on all that wood- and beachfront land. At the very least, we should get a few porn mega-stores (like one sees on the highways when driving through Connecticut) out of the deal.
- Ewald, Sunapee

I am a native of this once great state. Now I find it shameful that our state government is slowly eroding all that we have stood for. To rid the state of these wonderful natural areas is wrong. I am sure that the beaches pay for themselves. We need to keep all of our open land for the future. I think it's time to live within our budget. Make cuts like the rest of us have to do! Wake up Legislators!! and Governor Lynch
- Mary L Lannon, Hillsbor

The Governor and the Legislature have "underperformed" also. Can we sell them??
- George, Concord

Perhaps its time that NH allow the local towns manage those properties cooperatively, through the creation of recreation districts. They work wonderfully in other parts ofthe country. The local communities decide how to use resources, not a pencil pushing beuracrat far removed.

Local towns likely better understand the value of those resources. The state refuses to establish dispersed camping, wilderness camping, and other opportunities, yet the resources can support it. Local towns could make opportunities like those exist. Funds to support those can come from user fees, similair to what is found in many national parks, forests, and monuments.

I'd gladly pay $15 a year to park my car at a trailhead, and be able to camp at a remote site on Cardigan - AWAY from the trail shelters.

Wouldn't it be nice to still have places to go, managed by local towns, that involved the LOCAL county forester, town recreation departments, law enforcement, and locally recruited volunteers to manage seasonal usage.

The state is indicating this could now be an option. It's worth moving in that direction, if you value maintaining these resources in the public sector.
- Shawn, Sunapee

These posts are right on. It's sad that those who supposedly represent us are not in alignment or possess the enlightenment of those they represent.
Send your message to your state reps, senators, and governor. Call each of them. Flood their/our offices and flush them out.
Lynch: 603-271-2121
Then ask for information in contacting your senators and reps.
Joanna, Chester
- Joanna Hyatt, Chester

How is it that the NH Division of Parks and Recreation decides that Sculptured Rocks or any of the few remaining seacoast beach access points are NOT within their mission? Sculptured Rocks are a unique natural feature that require very little in terms of maintenance ($25K in your report?). And the seacoast beaches are only seeing more use .. not less. The ROI in terms of number of people enjoying those locations vs the investments made in terms of maintenance must be quite high so I'm not sure who is putting this information together but the research sounds faulty. IMHO you would be fools to let go of some of these key parcels because you're never going to get them back for the purpose of returning them to public use for the "public good". If you're having trouble maintaining structures then have them removed if they are not historic. The structures can hopefully be rebuilt in better times. But you'll never be able to get the land back. I'd also hate to see Silver Lake returned to Hollis as they would restrict it to Hollis residents only .. unless you can put access to NH residents in the terms of transfer.
- Jim M, Hooksett, NH

Concord and Washington for that matter are broken, this is what happens when you elect tax and spend liberals. Rather than cutting spending, they recklessly spend your tax dollars and then try to create new steams of income. They dump money into social programs inviting a flood of out of state individuals who travel to a new state when their welfare runs out in the state they were living in. These individuals are not turned away because they are future votes for the liberals and are cultivated, even nurtured. A number of these people as well as the ones already here are truly needy while others are nothing more than social parasites who feed off of your tax dollars never leaving the welfare ranks. And now they want to sell off state property to make up for their incompetence and inability to balance the state budget, pay for education and run the state in a fiscally prudent manner.

You’ve gotten the government you deserve.
- AMC, Troy

Can anyone find this?
The planning document is available for public comment now through July 8 at www.nhstateparks.org
- kevin, Raymond

Why don't they just give the whole State away back to the people that live in it, and the whole government can go home since they are useless anyway.

Then we can start from scratch and do it right this time and we won't need a revolution.
- Bill, Tuftonboro

It would be a seriously large mistake to lose/give away/sell our parks. This must not happen.
- William Boyce, Sunapee, NH

I think it's a bit disingenuous for the State to put Clough State Park on that list of "underperformers." Clough State Park sustained heavy damage a couple of years ago from flooding, and it was closed for two whole seasons for clean up, and is now listed as "closed" for the 2009 season (although folks are now let in again).

ANY place will be an underperformer if the place is CLOSED.
- CW, Concord

This is the kind of hare-brained, short-sighted scheming you get with Democrats in power.
- Tony, Milford

What? This is insane. These Parks are not there just for human beings to use or not use to amuse themselves. They are critical habitat for the plants and animals we share this planet with. If they can't be maintained, then close them, but put them into conservation easement and let them revert back to a pristine state. My God!, the beauty and value of these parks and the state as a whole is what brought me to New Hampshire to begin with. What are they thinking? Are they thinking they will give them away to the developer/parasites who plague us all like stable flies?
- Richard D. Buchanan, Peterborough, NH

Is anyone reading this article properly? It doesn't say anywhere about the state auctioning these parks off to the highest bidder so they can turn them into housing developments. It says they are considering turning them over to local governments, other state or federal agencies, or nonprofit firms. I don't think it's unreasonable to turn operation of some of the state's smaller parks over to the local governments. Let the local taxpayers pay for them.
- Mike, Derry

This is very upsetting. I know people who work for the state who are still traveling around the country for "trainings". Why not eliminate this spending? No, instead lets get rid of parks and woods that can not be replaced.
- Amy, Goffstown

To even think about giving away irreplaceable resources such as this is ridiculous. Perhaps we need a new Parks Commissioner with some business acumen. Ironic that Cannon Mt is NOT on list; yet it is a consistent money loser (the ski area anyway), and could be sold to a private concern and turned into a money maker with better management – AND it would remain a cost effective destination for NH and NE travelers.

Separate, but related, I think: Is it just me, or is this just one more example of the irresponsible, arrogant, no account state legislature and state governmental agencies thumbing their collective noses at the residents of the state of New Hampshire? Reduce spending, pishtaw! We want spend and tax and tax and spend and if you people don't like it we'll just cut all the good stuff and see how you like it then you silly people. We need to start with the Dellesandros' and the social services and entitlement folks and send them all packing and put some people in the legislature who understand the meaning of the words "fiscal responsibility and accountability".
In case you didn't get my drift, I am indeed ticked off to the max over the nasty games being played in this state at the expense of the people who pay the taxes that keep this state running in spite of these fools.
- sandy, thornton

Great! We're paving roads that don't need it and we are closing parks at the same time. Maybe if we designate the state park roads as highways we can get some much needed funding from the government. Another example of a broken system.

Maybe we can sell the parks to Planned Parenthood. They get lots of money from the feds.
- Bill, Dunbarton

Some of this land was left by people in their wills to be preserved- how can they just sell it now???
Oh wait, it's the government, they can do what they want.
As for the bidget, why don't they do what all of us have to do? LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS!
Giving the state more money is not going to fix this. They will just find more ways to spend it.
If we allow gambling, what do you think will happen? There will be a whole NEW department created to oversee this and we will be back in the same boat again.
DOWNSIZE THE GOVERNMENT!
THINK PEOPLE- THINK!
- Donna, Rye

What have the people of New Hampshire done to deserve such a slap in the face? Our State Parks are intended to protect open space which has been deemed valuable and to provide recreation opportunities at low or no cost.

If we are following California's lead here, we need to realize that their State Parks are being closed as a punishment to the voters who did not go along with the emergency ballot measures.

It is time for citizens of New Hampshire to wake up and realize that we are taking the same steps now that California took in the 1980's. Those steps led to higher spending, which lead to higher taxes, and cycled a number of times before leading to their current economic insolvency. I lived through a good deal of that, and will do all I can to help keep this beautiful and strong state from taking that suicidal path.

Cut spending now, but don't sell out our future to do so. Just as a prudent household would choose to cut down on day to day expenses rather then sell heirlooms, we must as a state do the same. Bring back fiscal responsibility, and demand this of your representatives via phone, email or letter.

Save New Hampshire before its too late!
- Erica, Derry

The state collects money from the parking meters at North Hampton Beach State Park, as well as money each year from the town to lease back a certain number of parking spaces for resident use. In return, they occasionally clean the antique, malodorous bathrooms and they occasionally send us a lone lifeguard with a single hand-held orange flotation device and a walkie-talkie who sits on the wall or walks the entire long beach. I don't believe the beach is ever cleaned (it's raked every night at Hampton Beach) and there are no trash cans so out-of-town visitors (who predominate in the summer) just leave their wrappers, cans and diapers on the beach, sidewalk or wall. I'd like to put the state on an underperforming list. I hope our town takes back the beach. We already have to use our own police for parking and public safety issues there.
- Amy Kane, North Hampton, NH

Unbelieveable. Self-funding was a foolish idea in the first place - these are supposed to be areas reserved for the public benefit, so we have places we could not otherwise enjoy. I would expect these to run at a deficit. Here's an idea - let's make Social Services programs self funding. (P.S. to the Union Leader - I was amazed to find that Mt. Cardigan moved over to the Conn. River Valley overnight!)

*** Editor's note: The east side of Cardigan (the Alexandria side) isn't in the Connecticut River watershed, but the west side is. ***
- Sue, alexandria

Sure, Lynch and the rest of the Donkeys in state government can waste months and thousands apon thousands of taxpayer dollars on worrying about gay marriage, but without a second thought they will get rid of lands that have been part of our heritage for generations. NH really is becoming Northern Mass. It's very sad!
- George, Manchester

I think that it is a good idea. Have park system that people are willing to support properly. Crumbling parking lots and overflowing trash means we have more than we can take care of.
- Cathleen, Center Barnstead

couldn't we just axe the welfare program? Where's Govenor Benson when we need him.
- tracy, manchester

So who wants to buy an nonperforming property with non paying hiking trails on them? Oh yeah, developers do.

I think what will end up happening is the towns will buy this land and try to keep it open and will basically get money from the state to assist. Catch 22 if so.
- Randy, Dunbarton

This is the same legislature that wants to keep NH "unchanged" by tossing out gambling?
- Steve, Franconia

Too bad our Socialist president spent all of our money bailing out the UAW through GM & Chrysler. Hey! Maybe he'll just print some more money and send it to NH to save these parks. Nice to see that a narrow democratic constituency takes priority over a resource available to ALL taxpayers.
- DP, Manchester

The only thing freakier than Sue from Manchester's post is this scheme by the Parks And Rec Division. This is a totally stupid idea. All other states are in a rush to preserve that last bits of wilderness, and here we are selling off the state parks. We should all be ashamed that this is even being considered. I truly hope this is a publicity stunt to drum up support for increased funding for the state parks, because otherwise anyone in an official capacity even considering this should be immediately fired or voted out of office.
- Peter, Jaffrey

It's so typical of this state to decide to fix funding problems by shirking the responsibility to fund essential items, like state parks. Instead of doing what the other 49 states do - fund the parks properly - we want to get rid of more than a third of them. Apparently, state parks aren't supposed to preserve green space and access to waters for public use (Pisgah, Jenness), and protect environmentally sensitive or unique areas (Sculptured Rocks, Chesterfield Gorge, White Island), or preserve historic sites (the Governor Wentworth Mansion) - who knew??

It's time to let your local state rep know this is not an idea that will be tolerated, at the risk of their re-election. It's also time to let them know we should be fixing the funding system for our parks.
- Mike, Bedford

This breaks my heart. I have to agree with Michael from Candia....you vote down slot machines, but your considering selling off parts of what makes this state so beautiful?!?! You have got to be kidding me.
- Kate, Deerfield

Why don't we just get rid of the Division of Parks and Recreation? Nah, why would Concord get rid of bureaucrats who drink at the public fountain of tax dollars?
- Bob, Manchester

When the state talks about "underperforming" state parks, they don't mention that they don't collect any fees or even donations for the park upkeep. "Cardigan Mt. State Park" is a misnomer. It is actually a state forest, with a small parking area for hikers maintained by Friends of Cardigan Mt. If the state hasn't tried user fees, how do they now conclude that divesting the state of the property is the better option? The trail system was built during the depression by the Civilian Conservation Corp and kept up for 70 plus or minus years. It's unlikely the state would benefit to any degree except by outright sale of the land. My guess is that many of the properties on the list have no user fees to warrant inclusion on the "underperforming" list.
- P. Werme, Boscawen

Once you sell this land it is gone forever. While I am not enamored of slot machines, I'd rather let a little gambling into NH to balance a short term budget rather than giving up these lands for generations. We need more as citizens than access to malls and drive thru fast food strips to keep the NH life desirable. Maybe the Ol' Man saw this coming from his vantage point and just crumbled in shame.
- Cathy McDonald, Derry, NH

Unless the state is going turn the parks over to some other agency who is going to maintain them as parks or green space, this idea is ridiculous!

This plan is short-sighted indeed!
- JAC, Manchester

Euthanize cash-starved public resources by shutting them down, selling them and/or giving them away. Nail down their coffin lids built through stingy, short-sighted, penny-pinching, self-fulfilling neglect.

Here's a best management option suggestion: Why not "outright give-away" these publicly-owned lands to wind power developers so they can further degrade NH's natural wildlife habitats and residents' peace and quiet for their own financial gain? The NH SEC and F&G Department leadership would surely concur that this would "meet the intent of the state park system", and the few resulting in-lieu-of-tax-dollars would align well with the government's definition of “green.”

Wow! A state that relies on nature-based tourism as a mainstay of its economy resorting to this madness? Perplexingly sad indeed.
- Brian, Lancaster

Pass the car bill to save the auto industry but start closing out state parks. Save a car kill a park. How bout we dip into that bill for a few pennies. The state has gone bonkers with ideas when the true big money expenditures are not being addressed. This will require local communities to get vocal and lend a hand. Reconsider the closing as some areas are sure to be taken over by more concrete jungles.
PS tell exxon/mobil to clean up all those deserted gas stations. They are an eye sore.
- Maggie, Mnachester

Shame on New Hampshire. This is the kind of thing that happens in Florida, a place without soul. Find money for your wonderful green space, folks.
- Terry Sheridan, Plantation, Fla.

Did I miss something? Underperforming? I've been to a number of parks on the list and more than a few charge nothing. I may not know much, but I bet a free park WILL underperform based on it's non-existent gate receipts..
- Ray, Gilmanton

Let me see if I have this right. Back in 1991 they made the mistake of saying the parks should be self supporting. Now 18 years later they are figuring it out that they cannot fund or maintain many of our parks? Seems to me the state has responsibility in the decline of these parks due to irresponsibility. I use our state parks and to think some will be sold off is incredible. Based on history who is to say that those left will not face the same fate in a few years? Stop the waste of time "feel good" legislation and deal with real problems in the state!!
- Bill B., Pelham

This State seems to have people running it that can't budget money so this comes with no surprise they would have to sell something, maybe let thing rest for a while without selling, ask people to lend a hand free of charge to get us by until the economy gets better. I'll help out and You have my # It doesn't always take MONEY to fix things but in this day and age thats what people think. If you can't figure out what to do then let it rest before you Political people without any common sence mess things up more than they are already.
- Jim MacDonald, Manchester NH

What does it say about New Hampshire when the state with the sixth highest median household income in the nation can't or won't fund its state park system?

Pretty sad if you ask me.
- Brett, Dunbarton

I must not have had enough coffee yet this morning!!! Voting DOWN slots and then they want to put our state land up for grabs????? Absolutely ridiculous. WAKE UP lawmakers!! Sooner or later Massachusetts will hop on the slot machine band wagon, and then, we'll be left out in the cold. People take charters from Maine, NH and MA to travel to sit at a slot machine in CT. I'm ok with slot machines so we can get some of that money here. So OUR taxes aren't raised at the same time services are cut.

NH is known for their beautiful land and wonderful recreation areas. People choose our state to come and unwind. What does it say about us when we start selling the land off? At one point will it stop? Do the lawmakers have a number in mind of how much recreational land they believe we should have?

I for one will be looking to see who voted slots down. I will also look to see who votes for the land sale/lease option. These people will not have the opportunity to govern ME anymore!
- Sherry, Concord, NH

Hampton Beach State Park? Jenness Beach Park? Are you kidding me? Many of these parks are major public access points to some of the most beautiful parts of NH. Now the state's going to sell them? To whom? Some condo developer? Just what we need. This is an idiotic plan.
- Richard Townhouse, Somersworth, NH

The parks system has suffered from poor management and a lack of vision for years. As the only "self funded" park system in the US is certainly is a challenge to keep things moving but mismanagement and useless marketing has been a big part of what has gotten us here in NH public lands. Selling properties is just a desperate move from a state department that can't get out of its own way.
Last year they even started charging extra for over 2 children at the campground making camping even more expensive for families to camp (we are the only state that charges more for families in the northeast) We are twice as expensive for state park camping as MA, ME and VT are already. That's even more stupid than selling public lands and trusts.
Hiring Ted Austin has now gotten us to this creative highpoint what a great idea “let’s sell part of NH's very limited public oceanfront we have, yeah that will fix it”.
- Arthur, Goffstown

I want to buy one of the state parks...How much are they going sell for? I figure when the good times return I can then resell it back to thisstupid state for a profit as they will want the green/recreation space.
- Todd, Concord

I came up here 20 years ago from RI and I wrote the Div. of Parks and Rec. I told them I was surprised to see so many parks, but so little at them except woods. A lot of people do not like passive activities, they want something at them. Roger Williams Parks is an fine example of little bit of something at a park. What about sculpures? A bocce court, Tennis courts, Basketball, Baseball field. More people today are into sports and if they made some fields such as soccer, they could host tournaments. These parks should not be given up, I visited quite a few of them. There just needs to be more activities at these parks.
- Sharon, Londonderry

It's a sad day for this state when they can't even fund their own park system. These parks are for us and future generations,SHAME on concord for even considering this!
- Dave, Littleton

This is a joke, right?

Let me check the calendar...April 1st?

The proposal is to jettison a diminishing resource - green space -- to meet short term budgetary shortfalls.

Our leadership in NH Division of Parks and Recreation intends to fund a short-term problem with a long term expense -- the loss of physical asset. A bankruptcy sale of state assets?

"Properties that don't meet its core definition of state parks" --- now there's an open doorway to sell down the house. It suggests bankruptcy both in sale and leadership.

Is there something very much awry with this concept, something very much at odds with concepts like the "New Hampshire Advantage," "Live Free or Die" and the Granite State?

Is this collective shortsightedness the result of lifespans of 83 anticipated years, or an election cycle of two years?

Where's stewardship here? Where's leadership? Where's creative alternative funding? What a thoughtful legacy to leave our children's children.
- Gary, Manchester

How much are we willing to spend in order to preserve natural NH? I do not want to see Cardigan Mtn. sold off to the highest bidder just because the state didn't want to support their state parks and instead stuck to a backwards system of relying on gate revenue.

Guess what? with that method, parks become underfunded. Underfunded and undermaintained parks mean fewer people want to go to them. Fewer people going to parks = less revenue = less improvements/maintenance = lower attendance etc etc etc.
- Tim, Canaan

Way to go NH legislature. Vote down a sure fire way to increase revenue (slot machines) and then announce that you may have to sell 27 state parks. These guys need to be reminded that unlike the Governor and many of his friends most people in NH can't afford to have summer homes on a lake or the ocean, that all we have are the state parks. I've been going to Clough State Park since I was a kid and I now bring my daughter there. But I guess that doesn't matter. We should sell it. Maybe some developer will buy it that way the only people who can enjoy that area will be people like the Governor and his extremely wealthy friends. You know the ones that have created a 700 million dollar deficit. Way to go ! You guys are brilliant. You just keep shooting down good ideas that make money, and closing parks. So that people who can't afford vacations or summer homes have absolutely no place to go.
- Michael, Candia

UH OH, mark my words, people. There will be a grab for these lands to be turned over to some regional conservation scheme, soon to be 'world heritage areas' under the UN's plan for global land ownership.

Don't let this happen!!!!!!!!! They already have too many of our most beautiful resources and they claim "World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located."

http://whc.unesco.org/en/about/

Lands they have grabbed from us already??

http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/us
- Sue, Manchester