Deer Lake State Park [update - not closing]

[hnooe]

The lack of facilities, lack of a manned ticket booth, minimal parking, the long walk to get to the Gulf--ironoically, these are all the reaons that make Deer Lake State Park a total gem.

If it does close in July, at least I will have the Spring to enjoy it!

 

[AAbsolute]

The lack of facilities, lack of a manned ticket booth, minimal parking, the long walk to get to the Gulf--ironoically, these are all he reaons that make Deer Lake State Park a total gem.

If it does close in July, at least I will have the Spring to enjoy it!

I agree 100%

 

[scooterbug44]

If they don't have the $ to keep it open, they don't have the $ for security to keep us out!

I think some people need a reminder of what a park is, what their REAL value is, and WHY we have them. We don't sell a beloved park to developers because it costs $6k a year to run (Charlie probably spends more than that a year on his tan), we don't drill in wildlife refuges because it might save us 5 cents a gallon, and we don't mine for uranium near the Grand Canyon just because we can!

 

[Smiling JOe]

aabsolute, you are right to question the reason why the Park is being closed. If the true operating costs is less than $6K, money is not the reason, and if it is perhaps the County via TDC funding, or a citizens' group, could pick up that operating cost. The beach at Grayton is State owned, and the County has a long-term lease to use it. Why couldn't the County lease Deer Park on a long-term lease as well, with the lease being only the cost of required maintnance, and put that burden on the County (TDC)?

 

[GoodWitch58]

aabsolute, you are right to question the reason why the Park is being closed. If the true operating costs is less than $6K, money is not the reason, and if it is perhaps the County via TDC funding, or a citizens' group, could pick up that operating cost. The beach at Grayton is State owned, and the County has a long-term lease to use it. Why couldn't the County lease Deer Park on a long-term lease as well, with the lease being only the cost of required maintnance, and put that burden on the County (TDC)?

good question. has anyone asked Sonny Mares if the TDC has any ideas? I just sent him an email to see if there has been any discussion with the TDC/County BCC. Will post if he replies.

 

[DuneLaker]

In addition to writing our local State legislators, I will also be writing our County Commissioners, urging them to also make a push, on behalf of the County, to keep the Park open. I hope others will join me. Seriously, we should be able to locally raise $6000, to keep the Park open, if costs was the reason why it was being considered for closure.

In addition to writing our local SoWal state legislators, you can also call them. SoWals State Senator is Don Gaetz. His area office number is 850-897-5747. Megan Rice is a staff contact (who is also up on environmental concerns so you can also talk to her about lighting, etc.). SoWals State Representative is Marti Coley. Her Marianna number is 850-718-0047. Staff person to contact is Sharon Brown. You could also talk to her about your lighting concerns. Rep. Coley's district and Sen. Gaetz's district cover numerous counties here in Northwest Florida sharing many environmental and economic issues.

If you see our local county commissioners tonight about the lighting isssue, you could tell them that part of our economic strength and superior beauty in SoWal can be attributed to the park lands and unique coastal dune lakes. It would be both environmentally and economically harmful to dilute these assets during this tough competitive economic time. Protecting our wildlife and environment protects our economy and jobs. We have many special venues here in SoWal that you just can't buy or "build" anywhere else.

 

[scooterbug44]

......part of our economic strength and superior beauty in SoWal can be attributed to the park lands and unique coastal dune lakes. It would be both environmentally and economically harmful to dilute these assets during this tough competitive economic time. Protecting our wildlife and environment protects our economy and jobs. We have many special venues here in SoWal that you just can't buy or "build" anywhere else.

 

[RB]

my guess is the boardwalk leading to the beach cost a lot of money to build. where the cost of that is placed can easily drive up or down the numbers being discussed. That being said this park will only increase in use over the years. If a fraction of the growth estimates actually do happen a lot of people will need beach access. it is funny to hear people argue over who really owns the sand at beachfront communities. They make arguments about crowd control and the amount of money they invested to live so close to the beach. I happen to agree with most of those arguments. The solution is keeping places like Deer Lake in the hands of the public. You can go sit at Deer lake in the middle of summer with plenty of room to spread out. The more the area grows north the more vital this park will become for public use. If by chance this land is sold off it will become private property and that means less public beach for the people not living right on the south coast.

 

[gardening1970]

This park is my absolute favorite place in SoWal. It is on my "must do" list everytime I'm on 30A without fail, even if I am just passing through town for an hour or so. The first time I saw those dunes... practically a religious experience. I woud be happy to pay a day use fee and have often wondered why there is no gate fee. I have multiple photos of those glorious dunes in my office and my home. It would be a travesty to see this park close.

I don't know if your Governor listens to regular tourists who aren't residents (and voters), but you can count on my letter in support of this fine park.

 

[scooterbug44]

I know where I'd get the money and it DOESN'T involve selling off parks, local fundraisers etc.

It's curbing government perks and funn w/ taxpayer dollars like this!

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sfl-flgovtrip07sbdec07,0,5721620.story

"This summer, as the state's economy plunged, Gov. Charlie Crist took an entourage to Europe on a 12-day trade mission.

The business development trip to London, Paris, St. Petersburg and Madrid was supposed to cost taxpayers $255,000. The actual tab was far higher ? in excess of $430,000, the Sun Sentinel found in a detailed review of the July trip's costs.

Taxpayers paid for more than two dozen people to accompany Crist, including a photographer, a spokeswoman, four aides, two agency heads and nine bodyguards. The bodyguards alone spent more than $148,000 on meals, hotels, transportation and incidentals, including nearly $630 in dry cleaning.

Their boss, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey, went along to sign a crime-solving agreement with British police, billing taxpayers $5,135 for less than 12 hours of official duties over four days. Bailey stayed an extra week at his own expense and brought his wife. His spokeswoman said he was on call around the clock and complied with state travel and vacation policies."