Over the last few years, our National, State and local parks have fallen victim to budget cutbacks, lower visitation, and abject neglect.
For whatever reason, parks appear at the top of the list of nonessential government services, and as a result are often closed or curtailed for economic reasons.
In Georgia, we have lost several of our state parks during the recent fiscal crisis. And several more are on the endangered list.
It’s hard to think of parks in terms beyond the immediate. Preserving our natural and cultural heritage for future generations is a responsibility that falls upon today’s taxpayers.
We are also obliged to those that came before us who saw the need for preservation that set aside these sites for the enjoyment of all. It is up to us to maintain our inheritance with conscientious respect and diligent effort.
Once a park is lost, it is gone forever.
And that is a tragedy.
Photos: Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Richard Weisser
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