Comments on: Arizona Robbing Peter to Pay Paul (State Park System) http://derekneighbors.com/2009/12/arizona-robbing-peter-to-pay-paul-state-park-system/ Musings of a Mad Man (@dneighbors) Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:56:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: San Tan Regional Park | Derek Neighbors http://derekneighbors.com/2009/12/arizona-robbing-peter-to-pay-paul-state-park-system/comment-page-1/#comment-913 San Tan Regional Park | Derek Neighbors Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:04:22 +0000 http://derekneighbors.com/?p=6520#comment-913 [...] have been talking about Arizona and the fiscal problems with our state park system of late.  I was starting to feel hypocritical because not only do I own an RV, but I hadn’t [...] [...] have been talking about Arizona and the fiscal problems with our state park system of late.  I was starting to feel hypocritical because not only do I own an RV, but I hadn’t [...]

]]> By: David Bickford http://derekneighbors.com/2009/12/arizona-robbing-peter-to-pay-paul-state-park-system/comment-page-1/#comment-909 David Bickford Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:30:05 +0000 http://derekneighbors.com/?p=6520#comment-909 You make a great point about buying annual passes. I've previously viewed these purely in cost/benefit terms, carefully assessing if I will visit enough times to make the pass a good investment. Given the state's financial predicament and your thoughtful post, I now see these passes more like museum memberships. The annual fee funds worthwhile programs regardless of how often I take advantage of them. I'm not much for RVs or camping, but I enjoy good day hikes. The Maricopa County parks, which ring the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, offer good trails and facilities within an hour of Downtown. An annual pass costs $75, and I've been erratic about buying one over the years. Now, I think I'm going to buy one no matter how much I intend to use it, and I'd urge other hikers who value the county parks to do the same if their budgets allow. You make a great point about buying annual passes. I’ve previously viewed these purely in cost/benefit terms, carefully assessing if I will visit enough times to make the pass a good investment. Given the state’s financial predicament and your thoughtful post, I now see these passes more like museum memberships. The annual fee funds worthwhile programs regardless of how often I take advantage of them.

I’m not much for RVs or camping, but I enjoy good day hikes. The Maricopa County parks, which ring the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, offer good trails and facilities within an hour of Downtown. An annual pass costs $75, and I’ve been erratic about buying one over the years. Now, I think I’m going to buy one no matter how much I intend to use it, and I’d urge other hikers who value the county parks to do the same if their budgets allow.

]]> By: Explore Arizona Tweetups | Derek Neighbors http://derekneighbors.com/2009/12/arizona-robbing-peter-to-pay-paul-state-park-system/comment-page-1/#comment-893 Explore Arizona Tweetups | Derek Neighbors Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:43:13 +0000 http://derekneighbors.com/?p=6520#comment-893 [...] have been talking a little bit lately about the Arizona State Park System and it’s woes.  I realized that many people that are new to Arizona haven’t really explored it and [...] [...] have been talking a little bit lately about the Arizona State Park System and it’s woes.  I realized that many people that are new to Arizona haven’t really explored it and [...]

]]> By: Scott Jones http://derekneighbors.com/2009/12/arizona-robbing-peter-to-pay-paul-state-park-system/comment-page-1/#comment-892 Scott Jones Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:58:38 +0000 http://derekneighbors.com/?p=6520#comment-892 Completely agree. What's worse is that we have to fight dozens of proposals to raid state park funds each year, even in good economic times. It's amazing to me that Arizona can be blessed with such cool places, that bring so much money to the state, and yet we don't have a premier state park system. The fact that we may become the only state without ANY state park system is utterly and completely unbelievable. Completely agree. What’s worse is that we have to fight dozens of proposals to raid state park funds each year, even in good economic times. It’s amazing to me that Arizona can be blessed with such cool places, that bring so much money to the state, and yet we don’t have a premier state park system. The fact that we may become the only state without ANY state park system is utterly and completely unbelievable.

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