The problem was compounded since 50% of the state park budget comes from visitor fees, and as the visitor traffic and entry fees nose-dived, the budget gap widened.
The numbers tell the story. The popular 5,926-acre Bastrop State Park near Austin, for example, showed an 88% drop in revenue in October after it was ravaged by a wildfire. Wildfires devastated the equally popular Possum Kingdom park hugging the rocky shore of a lake west of Fort Worth and the Davis Mountain Park in West Texas known for having the state's most extensive mountain range.
Heat and the drought forced the closure of ramps used by boaters and fishermen on Sheldon Lake park's 400-acre reservoir for several weeks, and children's fishing programs were cancelled when fishing ponds shrank to less than a foot of water.
How to help
A fundraising drive was announced Tuesday and if enough revenue is not raised, the state will be forced to make some tough decisions such as shortening park hours, cutting staff and even possibly closing parks.
The three ways Texans can help their state parks as part of the fundraising effort include:
Make a tax-deductible donation at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/helpparks.
Make a donation when renewing motor vehicle registrations starting Jan. 1.
Visit state parks to increase usage and entry fees.
Get out and visit
Officials encouraged visiting Sheldon Lake Park, a biological island surrounded by an industrial area, 2 miles east of Beltway 8 in Houston, which is home to 250 species of birds, alligators, bobcats, foxes and other wildlife.
In addition, the park recently opened a $1.3 million 75-foot observation tower (photo) from which tourists can view wildlife as well as the downtown Houston skyline.
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