Increased State Park Visits Put Focus on Need for Facility Upgrades

As the coronavirus pandemic stretches into the fall, people looking for safe outings have turned to state parks. Across the country, people have turned to hiking, boating and other outdoor activities.

Wisconsin State Parks alone have seen more than six million visitors since the pandemic began, according to Wisconsin Public Radio. More visitors mean there is a greater need for maintenance improvements, but increased maintenance requires an increase in state parks budget. Wisconsin Public Radio reported that the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has requested US$93 million for capital projects which includes deferred maintenance at state park facilities and properties.

The deferred maintenance accounts for $69 million of funding requested for 292 projects at 16 facilities, according to Terry Bay, Wisconsin DNR’s facilities and lands bureau director. The DNR has 40% of all building inventory in the state.

The projects consist of repairs to general facilities, fish hatcheries, and boat launches, as well as replacement of buildings like ranger stations, restrooms, and shower facilities. Additionally, these projects would address health and safety issues at the parks such as methods to protect visitors from contracting and spreading COVID-19.

Fred Prehn, chairman for the state’s Natural Resources Board, told Wisconsin Public Radio that state parks have seen a 52% increase of weekend visitors since early June. Therefore, they need to be maintained. “The department’s got obligations to maintain the structures,” he said.

The Natural Resources Board approved the budget request in September. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers is considering the budget request.