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SALT LAKE CITY — On the heels of massive budget cuts, six adventurous parks supporters piled into a crowded RV on May 12, embarking on a road trip of epic proportions.
"We are hitting every single one of our 43 state parks," said road-tripper Barbara Riddle, president and CEO of the Davis Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
Taking off from Antelope Island and winding throughout the state, the trip is intended to build awareness and support for Utah's struggling parks system, and will be thoroughly documented with photos, videos and blogs posted to the group's website. All this will happen over a grueling but daring three days, requiring travel throughout the night. They'll visit some parks, such as Red Fleet, as late as 4:30 a.m.
"We'll be constantly on the road," said Riddle. "We are only stopping at state parks for 30 minutes."
If they want to keep the state parks as they are, we gotta have that funding.
–- Mary Tullius, director of Utah State Parks
The idea started in October of 2010, with Chris Dallin and Vaughn Jacobsen discussing what seemed like a fun weekend. But the idea quickly blossomed, bringing in Riddle, Tim Hughes of KSL Radio, Russ Smith of SkyCall Satellite, and Bill Francis of The Imagination Company. All work with the Antelope Island Stampede Festival.
Earlier this year, the Utah Parks and Recreation Division lost a staggering 59 percent of its ongoing funds for 2011-12 due to budget cuts imposed by lawmakers that amount to $2.8 million. As a result, the trip is now not only about fun, but also about preserving the parks' existence.
"With the announcements of the budget cuts at the state parks, [the trip] took on a whole new meaning," Riddle said. "People need to remember the state parks that they have in their community and their state."
According to Director of Utah State Parks Mary Tullius, losing that $2.8 million amounts to shutting down 25 percent of parks.
"If that's what [lawmakers] want, certainly we'll work with them on that. But if they want to keep the state parks as they are, we gotta have that funding," Tullius said.
The Parks and Recreation Division has eliminated 25 full time positions, in addition to 13 that were done away with over the last several years.
"Bottom line is that we have been doing this for so many years that this is really getting at the core," said Tullius.
She also said that the road trip could not have come at a better time and hopes it will help people know how much there is to do on public lands. She is also making sure that there is a supporter of the parks system to greet the road-trippers at every stop, regardless of the time of day, to help keep the adventurers going given their grueling schedule.
They'll also have their "passport" stamped at every stop. The latest parks field guide has a passport style format which allows visitors to keep track of every place they have visited.
Riddle implored Utahans to contact lawmakers and express their appreciation for parks in order to help them stay open.
Tim Hughes will also broadcast live on KSL radio from Anasazi state park at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 14.
The group will return to Antelope Island at 5:25 p.m. on Sunday, May 15.
