February 20, 2009 UPDATE
All
I have received word that the governor’s budget proposal to the legislature will not recommend the closing of any State Parks. Further, it seems to be the thinking that if the governor does not recommend the closings that the legislature will not initiate such an action. I interpret this to mean that Dudley Farm is no longer in eminent danger of being closed. This is sketchy information at best. I’m sure we will learn more through the usual news sources and the Park Service when it issues its own summation of the situation.
The core issues that precipitated the closing proposal have not been resolved. We seem to have escaped closing this year but that does not mean that we do not need to work aggressively and continuously to alleviate the issues that got us on the closure list initially, that is attendance and revenue. It is my hope that we can report attendance figures in excess of 15,000 for the fiscal ending in June, up from approximately 11,500 last year. As we, as volunteers, work with the professional staff on the attendance issues I think the professional staff will be addressing the revenue issues.
I want to thank everybody that has written letters, circulated petitions, been interviewed, and talked up the situation for all your efforts. Clearly we, along with devotees of the other parks on the list, have been heard. Give each other a big pat on the back. Having done that let’s work at making sure we are not on the list next year.
Thanks
Jim
During development of the Legislative Budget Requests for Fiscal Year 2009-2010 all state agencies were asked to submit plans to reduce their annual operating budgets by 10 percent. This action was taken as a result of shortfalls in statewide revenues. If approved by the Office of the Governor, the reductions will be considered during the 2009 legislative session.
In order to reduce the Division of Recreation and Park’s statewide expenditures by 10 percent a spending reduction plan was developed which includes the temporary closure of 19 state parks. Dudley Farm Historic State Park is one of the parks identified for closure.
This web site has been developed specifically to disseminate information concerning park closures, and to suggest ways that interested individuals can help in our efforts to keep Dudley Farm open. | 
