I read it on the Consumerist... an awesome resource for all kinds of information!
From the Mining Journal
"...Michigan Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officials are hoping the public can help them determine who pushed boulders out of the way, removed a dirt berm and forced locked rest rooms open at a closed state forest campground in northeastern Dickinson County... read more..."
I've camped in closed campgrounds a time or two (OK, maybe three.) I've got to say, I'm not opposed to the illegal camping, when it comes to the politicos taking home their big paychecks with perks and laying off Rangers, park staff and closing tax-payer's recreational areas.
Lauri Apple of the Gawker writes
"...Maybe both? Or maybe the park has been overtaken by magical forest fairies who turn to maintenance & repair as a way to distract themselves from the boredom of their serene, lonely lives. (FWIW, I'm going with "statement-maker.")..."
Maybe the trespassers should have a place on the state payroll! They did mow the lawn!
I wouldn't have broken the door handles to get into the rest rooms. That's definately vandalism and you've got the whole forest to yourself.
I'm thinking your remark about government and thier pay-offs, I mean paychecks are to blame. I don't think public land should ever be closed to the public. Our government seems to care more about foriegn interest than their own people.
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't the state offer a season-long site to a camp host who is willing to do a small amount of maintenance? Wasteful and wrong to close public land to the public.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about you, but I would be lost without my lawnmower when I go camping. :oP At least they didn't trash the place..
ReplyDeleteMichael, I'm in total agreement. Of course, they care about foreign investments, that's where they put their $$$.
ReplyDeleteGLD, s,eems like a pretty simple fix, doesn't it?
J&V, You've got a roof rack for that lawn mower? Really! I've seen parks after vandals left, and it wasn't pretty!
Cyndi & Stumpy @ RVly Ever After
It's not like this park was even manned. It cost $15/night. It had a pit toilet and a ranger would driver through from time to time. The facilities, what little were there, were paid for years ago. How much could it really be saving them by having it closed? Oh wait... here are some numbers... when they closed down 20 of their campgrounds, almost identical to this one, in 2007, they estimated it would save them $75,000/year. I'm not sure if it really did. Also, the camping fees have been raised since then. that's a whole lotta camping for a relatively small amount.
ReplyDeleteWhere are you? Is everything okay? Inquiring minds want to know.
ReplyDelete