Connect NC bond and Kerr Lake
CONTACT: Frank Timberlake (919) 269-4300
News about what is going on with NC State Parks out of Raleigh is rare, even hard to get. And now that there is big news like the passage of the Connect NC bond, those of who ardently support the parks on the shores of the John H. Kerr Reservoir are wondering about the plan for expenditures and improvements on the North Carolina side.
“We’re wondering if there will be opportunity for public input as to what things are needed at the SRA’s (state recreation areas). Historically, NC State Parks have operated in a vacuum passing down already decided policies from Raleigh, said Kerr Lake Park Watch spokesman Frank Timberlake, adding, “I think I can count on one finger the number of press releases or meeting invitations we’ve had from the Division of State Parks in recent years. They’re certainly not famous for seeking public involvement. But mark this; we intend to be involved, visible and vocal on the expenditure of these funds, maybe the last dollars of their type for quite some time.”
Timberlake said that the support group is generally pleased with the passage of the $2 Billion Connect NC bond (last week). North Carolina’s infrastructure has been crumbling for some time. A big concern is that NC State Parks is that the system has been acquiring more and more land areas without committed development funds to provide more and improved visitor services.
“Our biggest concern now is how the $100,000,000 will be split up among parks and the state zoo. Larger and more pertinent than that split is determining what amount of bond funds will come to the seven state recreation areas that NC STATE Parks operates on Kerr Lake. Transparency has not happened as no known groups including Kerr Lake Park Watch have been asked by the Division of State Parks on how the public, who use the seven parks, think they should be improved,” said Timberlake.
Kerr Lake Park Watch wants to see a survey of campers and others who use the parks about their views and some public input meetings. Kerr Lake Park Watch will now start digging through the bureaucracy to find these answers and to bring them out to view for our members and the public.
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(Press Release provided by Kerr Lake Park Watch) – kerrlakeparkwatch.org/ – facebook.com/KerrLakeParkWatch
