Residents may have a harder time finding a park ranger this summer at state parks.
Park City is located less than an hour from East Canyon, Rockport, Echo Reservoir, Jordanelle, Deer Creek and Wasatch Mountain state parks. Last March, the Utah State Legislature reduced the department’s budget by $2 million following a $1.8 million reduction the year before. Park managers are writing budgets now that will begin July 1.
Laurie Backus, park manager for Jordanelle State Park, said she’s struggling to trim more than about 3 percent from her budget and other parks are in similar situations. The reduction requires parks to trim 10 to 30 percent from their budgets.
“We’ve had cuts, but not this big. This one’s really big,” she said.
When the Utah legislature passed the budget, it also made clear that parks could not close or raise fees to save money. Instead, they recommended trimming staff and reducing law enforcement.
Backus said she will give up her peace officer responsibilities, and several positions that are unfilled will be eliminated.
“There may not always be a ranger available to respond to calls. We’ll have weekends covered, but not sure how else we’ll handle it,” Backus said.
The park’s naturalist will be transferred to Wasatch Mountain State Park near Midway and the Rock Cliff’s Nature Center will close. Services at Rock Cliff’s camping grounds will also be reduced. The restrooms are currently closed due to high water and may not reopen.
Utahns should expect similar changes at all state parks, she said.
Joe Donnell, manager at Rockport State Park, said some camping grounds will likely be opened later and close earlier.
He isn’t planning on any lay-offs, but said he would not be surprised if at least one was made for him.
His staff may have to do away with water patrols at Echo Reservoir, he added.
“Right now anything is on the table,” Donnell added.
Mary Tullius is division director of State Parks and Recreation. She said law enforcement at parks statewide will be scaled back and positioned only where they are needed most.
Currently many division employees, like Backus, are certified peace officers but serve other functions as well. Money can be saved on salaries and resources if law enforcement services are consolidated, she explained.
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