TRENTON - Environmental groups yesterday announced a campaign to create a permanent source of funding for New Jersey's state parks.
Though they praised Gov. Corzine's proposed state budget, which includes $40 million for parks, the backlog of needed park repairs totals $250 million, the environmentalists said at a Statehouse news conference. Though the amount of parkland and number of visitors have increased, funding and staffing have dropped.
The groups hope to convince Corzine and legislators that investing in parks would produce jobs, increase property values, and provide a respite for residents of the most densely populated state. They say at least some of the money could be raised through a voter-approved bond issue and should be dedicated to parks.
Elisa Ung
Though they praised Gov. Corzine's proposed state budget, which includes $40 million for parks, the backlog of needed park repairs totals $250 million, the environmentalists said at a Statehouse news conference. Though the amount of parkland and number of visitors have increased, funding and staffing have dropped.
The groups hope to convince Corzine and legislators that investing in parks would produce jobs, increase property values, and provide a respite for residents of the most densely populated state. They say at least some of the money could be raised through a voter-approved bond issue and should be dedicated to parks.
Elisa Ung
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