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Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites are in Serious Jeopardy after Budget Cuts. Some Georgia State Parks Could be Forced to Close.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

Chief Joseph Vann House, Georgia Hostoric SiteGeorgia, like the rest of the nation, is suffering from the economic slowdown. Revenues are dropping, and belt-tightening seems to be the order of the day.

And it seems that Georgia's State Parks and Historic sites are the first targets in the sights of cost-cutting bureaucrats. In a May 28th letter to the citizens of Georgia, Chris Clark, Commissioner of Georgia Department of Natural Resources wrote:

"Unfortunately, the economic crisis is hitting these special places. Because of declining revenues and budget cuts, the Department of Natural Resources recently announced significant operational changes, including reducing services at some state parks, cutting days of operation at 12 historic sites, layoffs and furloughs. If revenues continue to decline this summer due to the weakened economy, our facilities will be at even greater risk." Read the full text here.

These are the trying times in which the good citizens of Georgia must rise up to protect their heritage and their natural treasures. Whatever must be done to save the parks needs to be a top priority.

Economic cycles ebb and flow, but once a piece of history or a unique natural phenomenon is gone, it will be gone forever.

We can't afford to lose a single one!

More information about Georgia's State Park and Historic Sites!

Vogel State Park in North Georgia

Fort Mountain State Park

Photos, from top: Chief Joseph Vann House, Vogel State Park, Fort Mountain State Park!

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser 770-827-6225.
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Comments (18)

Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

State and National Parks across the nation are faced with budget shortfalls.  It would be a shame to see them close their gates as they offer moments of tranquility and history for everyone to share.

Jun 01, 2009 12:19 PM
Laraine Shape
Comey & Shepherd Realtors - Glendale, OH
Selling Cincinnati...one kitchen at a time

How sad that the good stuff gets the axe first.  Thank goodness your photos aren't going anywhere.  They're gorgeous as always. 

Jun 01, 2009 12:27 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Cindy...

I'm just glad that the developers are out of money or a ;pt of these pristine properties would be turned into condos! Thanks for the comment.

Laraine...

I think that it's a psychological way to make you willing to pay more taxes. It's a shame. THX

Jun 01, 2009 12:34 PM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Great post.  My wife and I were discussing today how many cities...have let go a lot of maintaining public properties and rights of way.   It is evident even on the grass cutting that seems to be either deferred to a later time, or has been totally let go.  I am shocked at how shabby things are becoming.  I imagine State and National Parks are no different.

Jun 01, 2009 01:30 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Richard, great post and photos,...another sad state of affairs.  We need our historical landmarks and state parks.

Jun 01, 2009 01:35 PM
Eric Reid
Renaissance Realty Group of Keller Williams Atlanta Partners - Lawrenceville, GA

the fear is once they cut back / shut down / rool back services getting it up and running again will take twice the money ..and we dont have it now or in the future

Jun 01, 2009 02:06 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Jim...

The parks are on the hit list. So are the historic sites. We need to energize the public about this. Thanks for the comment.

Rebecca...

We really do need them. Once they're gone, we'll really regret it! THX

Eric...

It all politics as usual. Thanks, my friend.

Jun 01, 2009 02:19 PM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

I hope that enough people make the public aware of this sad fact. We can't lose these things. As always you shot some beautiful pictures.

Jun 01, 2009 02:27 PM
Sheldon Neal
Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Maywood, NJ
That British Agent Bergen County NJ

What a terrible thought that we would start to lose such precious sites. Sad.

Jun 01, 2009 02:57 PM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Not only parks... our county here (King) has 10 furlough days this year, so if you want to close this month on June 19th, you can't, the county is closed...

Rene'

Jun 01, 2009 03:12 PM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Richard -- these are the things that make our country great- you are right- people must rise - can we utilize a Youth Core? can seniors volunteer?? I don't know what the answers are - but we are a great nation, and we can do this.... and we can do it for less.

Jun 01, 2009 03:33 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Richard... I fear that as more and more states face similar budget shortfalls that we will see more of this activity across the country.  It's quite a loss of our history!

Jun 01, 2009 05:46 PM
Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Maybe we could cut our politicians' pay until they get the economy straightened out.

Jun 01, 2009 06:02 PM
Jesse Clifton
Jesse Clifton & Associates - Fairbanks, AK

Cutbacks are one thing but to close venues altogether is a shame... hopefully none will be lost to the sands of time before the economy worsens.

Jun 01, 2009 08:41 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Richard, I have to ask, do you 'enhance' your photos? I have noticed that the blues and reds seem to be 'richer' than normal. Could be the way they come over on my MAC...

your building consultant for life in Nashville, TN 

Jun 01, 2009 09:42 PM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Richard,

It's a sad reality of today's budget environment. We're going to see a lot more of cutting back expenses or "enhancing fees" in the future. So far, nobody has been smart enough to come up with a solution.

Rich

Jun 01, 2009 10:01 PM
Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh
Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD
A doctor who makes house calls.

My kids and I had so much fun touring historical homes this past weekend in Bowie.  It is so sad to think that these types of sites are going to get the axe because the budget.  I sincerely hope they reconsider these decisions.  Beautiful photos as always.

Jun 01, 2009 11:46 PM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

It's a shame to see historic sites and state or national parks suffering from today's economic issues.

Jun 02, 2009 01:02 AM