From todays Meadville Tribune
March 18, 2010
Park's recover may take longer than thought
Staff Writer
CNHI
JAMESTOWN —
JAMESTOWN — It may take Pymatuning State Park longer than expected to recover from budget cuts that have forced the closure of the park’s 198-site Tuttle Point campground, along with its beach and boat launch.
That was the bad news at Wednesday’s public meeting at the park. The good news is that other facilities are being improved and there are no service fee increases this year.
The decision to shut down the Tuttle facilities came earlier this year when the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources and Bureau of State Parks announced budget cuts. Pymatuning’s 2009-10 budget was trimmed by $219,000.
“Our intention is for the Tuttle closure to be a one-year deal,†Houghton said. “But if I could be up front and forward, the economy doesn’t look like it’s turning around. If the economy and tax revenues don’t come around then I see next year being a real potential also.â€
Tuttle was chosen because of its high cost of operation and maintenance. One of the issues is the fact that the campground is not connected to a public water system. It runs on its own.
It’s also proved less than overwhelmingly popular. Campsite occupancy was less than 18 percent in 2009.
“Our intake with Tuttle last year was around $77,000 but the cost for upkeep was close to $170,000,†Houghton said. “So the question comes in there of, ‘What is it? Is it a service?’ We are tax-supported. That’s what the issue with Tuttle was. We hope that’s not long-term.â€
More than 400 campsites remain open at the park’s Linesville and Jamestown campgrounds and the Manning and Wilson boat launches have been upgraded in the immediate area in an effort to address the closure of the launch at Tuttle.
With a fewer campsites available, reservations can be made in advance but are not required. Houghton did, however, suggest making a reservation for a holiday weekend. He also mentioned the cost is less to reserve a space on the internet at dcnr.state.pa.us.
Houghton said the feedback on Tuttle’s closing for 2010 was originally “nasty†but has since leveled off.
“The e-mails we have been getting lately have shown people are very, very disappointed but they understand,†he said. “State parks aren’t exempt from the economy. Our budget was cut around $219,000. Last year we were cut and now we were cut again this year.â€
One of the subjects discussed by the Bureau of State Parks was the impact on the local surrounding economy.
“Espyville was one of the subjects we talked about,†Houghton said. “We realize the potential impact on Espyville. We also improved the launch ramp at Espyville.â€
Those who had already booked Tuttle campsites have been sent correspondence and recommendations for other locations to camp. Also, electricity hook-ups and pet-friendly campsites are currently being added to the other campgrounds.
Getting Tuttle back up and running more efficiently is already in the works.
“We’re putting a plan together with the Bureau of State Parks about what we can do with Tuttle in the future,†Houghton said. “Obviously we will get project money allocated for the future. We have to show where we are not going to lose money.â€
This year was also the first in the past four where there were no rate raises on any services in the park. There is a possibility that will change in the future to help fund Tuttle’s reopening.
Four members of the public in attended the meeting, two from Westford and two from Espyville.
T.J. Turrisi can be reached at 724-6370, ext. 276 or by e-mail at
tjturrisi@meadvilletribune.com.