Local parks could close if new budget is not fixed

Alabama parks officials say cuts proposed in the 2016 General Fund budget now before the state Legislature will lead to the closure of 15 state parks with closures starting next month. Alabama State Parks Director Greg Lein gave an update on the situation Thursday.

On May 1, four small parks and the golf courses at two larger parks will close. The parks are Bladon Springs, Chickasaw, Buck's Pocket and Paul M. Grist. The golf courses at Roland Cooper and Lakepoint will close as well.

If the budget crisis isn't resolved by the beginning of the fiscal year Oct. 1, a number of parks will close during the coming year. The closings would not be immediate, but closures will spread throughout the year as lost revenue mounts:  The parks affected include Cheaha and lake Guntersville.

Lein said, everything at the parks would be closed. The staff would be gone and the facilities closed. They may let people go in and use a trail, but the bathrooms won't be open and the boat ramps will be closed."