Parks and Rec recalls plan to recall plan, then recalls plan
At 3:40 this afternoon, the state Division of Parks and Recreation issued a press release in which DRED Commissioner George Bald announced that he was recalling the draft 10-year strategic plan for Parks and Rec. The release quoted Bald:
“Based on substantial public feedback, I have decided to withdraw the first draft of the Division of Parks and Recreation’s Ten-Year Strategic plan. The Division, in cooperation with the State Park Systems Advisory Council, will present a more comprehensive draft plan that takes into account feedback to date. The public comment period will remain extended until July 27th. A revised draft plan will be available for public comment in August, allowing further public input before the plan is finalized. The state park system is an integral component of what makes New Hampshire special for its residents and visitors. It is critical that we take the time now to be strategic in our thinking to ensure that these wonderful assets are available for our children and grandchildren to enjoy well in to the future.”
Two minutes later, the department issued a statement recalling the recall: “The sender would like to recall the message, “PRESS RELEASE: NH DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION STRATEGIC PLAN PULLED”.
Turns out the first release was a draft that left out language making clear that there was no intention to sell state parks. Bald is recalling the plan, but here is the final version of his statement:
“Based on substantial public feedback, I have decided to withdraw the first draft of the Division of Parks and Recreation’s Ten-Year Strategic plan. There was an impression in this draft plan that a potential strategy would be to divest ourselves of properties. This was never the intent of this methodology. The Division, in cooperation with the State Park Systems Advisory Council, will present a more comprehensive draft plan that makes that clear. The public comment period will remain open until July 27th. A revised draft plan will be available for public comment in August, allowing further public input before the plan is finalized. The state park system is an integral component of what makes New Hampshire special for its residents and visitors. It is critical that we take the time now to be strategic in our thinking to ensure that these wonderful assets are available for our children and grandchildren to enjoy well in to the future.”
Amusing error aside, it’s big news that the department now says it will not, and never intended to, “divest ourselves of properties.”
That statement contradicts the plan, which clearly states that divestment of properties is an option. Here are the plan’s list of alternative management options:
a. Internal transfer to Division of Forests and Lands or another State
agency
b. External transfer to municipality, non-profit, or other organization that
provides public access.
c. Lease or other Management Agreement (partial or whole)
d. Disposal through the Cooperative Land Management Program process
e. Decommission (partial or whole)
f. Sponsorship
g. Partnering & Partnership
h. Public-Private Partnership
i. Concession
j. Land leases / Facility agreements
