TPWD threatens to close the state parks. Read about it here.

Now look at this web page.
TPWD org chart.

There are 19 Director Level personnel reporting to Carter Smith. Each Director has managers, all before you get to a worker. If they thinned out that org chart they would be able to make do with what they have. It is an old political trick to eliminate the services to get more funding instead of eliminating management.

Closing the parks will make the situation worse since by Carter Smith's own statement about 50 % of the operating revenue comes from admission fees. That money will go away if the parks are closed. A park once closed usually stays closed.

TPWD funds are used as a political football by the legislature. Fund 9 funds must be spent by TPWD, but the legislature must approve the spending. The money accumulates in the fund. The legislature then uses the unspent money as a credit towards a balanced budget. The Machiavellian workings of the state budget are too complex for most of us to understand, but if the money collected by TPWD were available there would be no problem.

Take the time to understand the problem and then urge the legislature to release the Fund 9 to the TPWD.

This chart shows the problem with a bloated state and federal government.Lots of overpaid administrators and no money left to keep a balanced budget.The admins eliminate everything except thier jobs.

My last two camping trips have been to State Parks in Arkansas. In the course of our visits we selected parks close to us, probably a half dozen or so, to check out on day trip. They are all impeccably run. The parks are immaculate, the staff is pleasant and helpful. They operate their state parks on 1/8% of their sales tax. Admittance and day use of the parks, playgrounds, boat ramps, is FREE. You pay for a campsite, pavillion rental, concessions,etc. On top of that, COE maintains the lakes, and during the tourist season, spring through fall, the lakes are kept at a specified level. That doesn't say much for LCRA, but then they probably aren't stuffing money in their pockets by selling water to farmers who don't need it.

Maybe if our political leeches in Austin would stop opening their unmarked envelopes long enough, they could also figure out how to do something like this for the people of Texas.

I would like to see the REAL org chart that shows ALL of the Assistant Deputy Directors, Directors, Managers, Supervisors, and all of the "support" people that suck up, uhhh, I mean assist them.

You hit the nail right on the head!!!

I agree.I have had a much better experience in the Oklahoma and Arkansas State Parks than in Texas,and I am ashamed to say so.

I was at Lake Catherine SP, AR for Halloween week and the park put on a huge gala for all the kids in the park, all free of course. There were even people from the surrounding area that came in to help. I wasn't crazy about all of the noise and confusion that went along with it, but the fact that the park just did something special for the kids was really impressive. I wouldn't hesitate to go back an spend a weekend in any park in Arkansas.

Lake Degray, AR has one of the most beautiful parks I have ever seen. Had to admit to it, but that is one area where AR has TX beat.

Remember the legislature did the same with the $1 fresh water stamp. Originally it was to be banked and when it was large enough, the TPWD was to pay cash for a new fish hatchery. The morons that run the state took the funds and made TPWD issue bonds to pay for the hatchery.

There are some serious money problems in Austin. We need some different thinking down there. Problem is it is everywhere just look at the posal service. They should have cut Saturday delivery eons ago and they are still talking about it. Problem with government is things get to be sacred. High school football is a great example. Schools spend miilions and even hundreds of millions a year on it yet they lay off teachers. What is school for learning or football? Do you think anyone is going to suggest the Allen get rid of football?

We all have a tendency to manage the hell of out everything so someone else ends up doing the real work. Please direct individual efforts at a specific state park of your choice by visiting and volunteering. Pointing out that the government is management bloated does nothing to get the work that really needs to be done, done. It only points out those whom efforts might be more appreciated if not paid by taxpayers of this great state.

Or Band? Noooooo Waaayyyyy with our 62 MILLION DOLLAR STADIUM currently being built! Don't git me started on beuracratic waste! Sad, but Oklahoma, Arkassas & Tennessee state parks are just much better and in a different league from Texas facilities. <:)

I wonder what state parks are like in New Jersey

I am not sure why the question is relevant, but when you get out of the Newark area into the state New Jersey is a nice place. I spent a lot of time in Little Falls working a few years back. The park system web page is here. Note too that residents over 70 do not require a fishing license.

New Jersey is in the same boat as Texas as far as finances are concerned for many of the same reasons.

It is coming. I have heard Tawakoni is on the chopping block. This is due to low crowds that the new SP manager may have run off with her craziness.