While state parks remain a vital part of the nation’s recreation activities, analysis of the National Association of State Park Directors’ (NASPD) “Annual Information Exchange” (AIX) report indicates that government budget woes are having an effect on both expenditures and visitation in state parks nationally.
The AIX Report, produced by NASPD in cooperation with North Carolina State University’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, offers state-by-state data for a variety of topics – including vistation, capital expenditures, parks’ share of state expenditures, user fees, revenue sources and personnel.
Park directors use the report to put their parks in regional or national context and as a benchmark on a range of issues, such as facilities, attendance, fees, expenditures, personnel, and more.
The report defines park and recreation areas to include parks, recreation areas, and natural areas; historic sites; environmental education areas; scientific areas; forests, fish and wildlife preserves; and other and miscellaneous areas.
Read the complete article at GovPro.com