DeSoto State Park finds itself in the unenviable position of having do make do with a budget cut of $207,000 – after the Alabama Legislature transferred $3 million from the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources for the 2016 Fiscal Year.
According to park officials, they're looking at possible fee increases and park passes similar to those used by many Georgia facilities.
There will reportedly be a number of changes for park employees, with some unfortunately losing their jobs; some others experiencing a reduced work week of under 29 hours and the normal 60 day layoff for some employees during the winter months would be extended to a total of 120 days.
The restaurant and lodge will both experience reduced hours during the winter months, but the cabins will be open year 'round.
Statewide, 132 park system employees will be laid off. A total of five parks – Bladon Springs, Chickasaw, Florala, Paul M. Grist and Roland Cooper – will be all be closed, as of this Thursday, October 15th.
The campground at Buck's Pocket will be closed – becoming a day-use park managed by the Lake Guntersville State Park.
(Ft Payne Times-Journal)













