This Land, Your Land

A News & Observer/Charlotte Observer report Sunday takes a look at how North Carolina's state parks are dealing with tight budgets in the faltering economy.

"Litter won't always be picked up as quickly. Maintenance projects are being deferred, and fewer seasonal workers are being hired," the report says.

State parks in 2009-'10 and in 2008-'09 got by with more than $5 million less than what the 2007-'08 budget provided.

Park funding is tied most directly to the economy through the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, which receives its money from a deed-transfer tax of $2 per $1,000 in value collected on real estate transactions, The N&O explains. The system also receives money from the state legislature and from user fees.

The park system usually hires about 700 seasonal employees each summer, but will hire fewer than 400 this year. There are nearly 70 full-time vacancies.

The system saw a record 14.2 million visits in 2009, a 13 percent increase over 2008, and expects a similar number of visitors this year.

Still, "North Carolina trails nearly all other states in park spending per resident. According to the National Association of State Park Directors, North Carolina spent $4.18 per person on parks in 2008, ranking 45th nationally. Delaware was No. 1, spending $26.50 per person; Texas was last, at $3.58."