Governor Christie - Protecting New Jersey Parks
Date
2011-11-02
Date Removed
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Trenton, N.J.: Office of the Governor
Abstract
Description
Uploaded on Nov 2, 2011
Liberty State Park, 11-02-2011
(Transcript Below)
"440,000 acres is what are in our state parks across New Jersey, over 500 miles of trail, ten miles of beaches, and active recreation areas with year-round operations for people to explore and enjoy with their families.
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In order to keep these assets open and available and affordable for residents Commissioner Martin and the DEP have come to me with a new innovative strategy that will generate sustainable and secure revenues while at the same time enhance the parks by improving and expanding the services that they offer to the public.
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So, the new park strategy has two phases, focusing on short- and long-term revenue growth. The goal of Phase I is to increase non-tax resources to $15M by 2015 through an initial round of partnerships with the private sector and nonprofit organizations and environmental foundations at some of the state's largest parks. The longer-term goal of Phase II is to raise about two-thirds of the annual operating budget for the state park system from alternative funding sources, thereby greatly reducing reliance on the state budget while increasing overall funding for our state parks. Some of these projects are already underway, such as significant restructuring of state park concessions with the goal of having multi-capable concessionaires handle services like food service, boat rentals, or lifeguards. As a result, park-sustaining revenue will begin to be realized from these projects by as early as the end of next year.
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This new model also will improve new visitor services amenities, making the park experience more rewarding for millions of visitors while allowing Commissioner Martin and his team at the DEP to focus resources on stewardship of these important natural, historic, and cultural assets."
Keywords
Governors - New Jersey, Government and Politics - New Jersey, Press Releases, Energy and the environment