A new report, jointly released by the Buckeye Institute and the Reason Foundation, outlines how public-private partnerships (PPPs) are one promising solution that would invite the private sector to play a bigger role in keeping state parks open without imposing additional burdens on taxpayers.

The PPPs described in the report would transfer the responsibility of maintaining a state park to a private operator, while enabling that operator to raise revenue through entrance and other fees. It is important to note that at no time does the state relinquish ownership and ultimate authority for any parks managed under such an arrangement.

The model has been used extensively by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Colorado, California, Oregon and Washington each have over 100 USFS recreation areas and campgrounds operated by private concessionaires. Many other western states like Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada each have dozens under private operation as well.

Given the fiscal pressures in many states, parks are simply not going to be able to keep up with healthcare, education, higher education and other big-ticket spending items in the competition for limited budget dollars,” comments report co-author and director of government reform at Reason, Leonard Gilroy. “PPPs operating whole parks are one proven private sector solution used by the federal government for decades–and more recently by California–to keep parks open and thriving in difficult fiscal environments while ensuring quality operations, better maintenance, and high levels of service for visitors.

The Buckeye Institute’s President, Robert Alt, emphasized that “Taxpayers deserve the highest value for their dollars. Using public-private partnerships for park management–appropriately structured to protect vital state assets–is a proven means to protect and maintain parks while saving tax dollars.”

Highlights of the report include:

• An extensive description of how PPPs can be structured to guarantee transparency and accountability including case studies involving the Federal government’s use of them in many federally owned lands;
   
• How PPPs can utilize outside capital to improve park infrastructure;
   
• Specific state-based examples of where and how PPPs can be implemented.

You may view the full report here.