Saturday, November 15, 2008

Two Florida Keys state parks are part of a plan to reduce expenditures by 10 percent as part of a temporary statewide park closing that is the result of a shortfall in state revenues.

The Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park and the Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park have been tagged for temporary closure if approved by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. The reductions would be considered during the 2009 legislative session.

Nineteen parks in all are slated for temporary closure.

As legislative budget requests for fiscal year 2009-10 were put together, all state agencies were asked to submit plans that would reduce their annual operating budgets by 10 percent.

The park closures would be in effect until the state's economy improves and revenues return to normal levels, according to Mike Bullock, director of the Florida Division of Recreation and Parks. Temporarily closed parks would be placed into a "caretaker" status until they can be reopened.

The closings could include a reduction in park staffing.

Pat Wells is the manager of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and is also responsible for the Key Largo Hammocks park.

"[The closings] may have some impact on day use, meaning we might have to close the park during the day," he said. "But as far as I know, it will not affect our employees, but the final decision is a long way off."

A press release from Bullock's office said full-time employees from the affected parks "will remain as a temporary caretaker or be transferred to another park."

"The plan does not include a reduction of full-time employees," he added.

Melba Nezbed, manager of the Windley Key park and Indian Key and Lignumvitae state parks, rotates seven employees through three parks. She also said she hopes not to lose any employees.

The other 17 parks slated for closure are scattered throughout the state.

"I want to assure you that we will make every effort to minimize the adverse impacts to the state park system," Bullock added.

sgibbs@keysnews.com