State of Oklahoma
House of Representatives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 6, 2011

Democratic Leader Scott M. Inman
State Capitol Building Rm. 548
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

Democrats Stress Importance of State Parks, Oppose Pending Closures

Oklahoma City, OK (April 6, 2011) Yesterday several members of the House Democratic Caucus held a press conference to discuss the Oklahoma Department of Tourism’s plan to close seven of Oklahoma’s state parks.

This conference was a follow-up to last week’s press release which stated the Caucus position of opposition to these planned closings. As previously noted, concerns remain as to the actions of the Department, which unilaterally and without input from the public targeted these parks for closure.

“These decisions were made behind closed doors, and therefore is against our principle of open and honest government,” said Representative James Lockhart, D-Heavener.

Heavener is home to Heavener Runestone State Park, which is one of the parks scheduled to close. Rep. Lockhart said that he had attempted on numerous occasions to contact the Director of the Department of Tourism, but has been unable to get the information he requested.

“Not only was the Tourism Department, led by Ms. Snodgrass, ignoring my requests for public information, but the Department was thwarting the will of the people by denying their input in the decision to close these parks,” said Rep. Lockhart.

Representative Will Fourkiller, D-Stilwell said that these parks have become engrained in Oklahoman’s lives. Representative Fourkiller’s district includes Adair State Park, which is another park targeted for closure.

“Adair State Park is not just another tract of real estate – it is a vital staple in our community,” said Rep. Fourkiller. “Many of our residents are elderly or low-income, and this park is the only form of free recreation for family outings that is available.”

In addition to being important in the everyday lives of Oklahomans, these parks are a part of Oklahoma’s history, said Rep. Paul Roan, D-Tishomingo. Rep. Roan’s district includes Boggy Depot State Park, which is also targeted for closure.

“Boggy Depot State Park gives homage to our past, present and future,” said Rep. Roan. “It is a mainstay in our community, and continues to be a place for families to connect with our land, with our history, and with each other.”

Rep. Seneca Scott, D-Tulsa, said he believes the closing of the parks is a matter of environmental justice due to the evidence of links between people’s mental and physical health and the environment in which they live.

“This is Oklahoma – we take great pride in our land, and we all want to improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life of our residents,” said Rep. Scott. “Closing these seven parks in not good for our state – and I am concerned that if we do not stop these actions today, then we may soon see more efforts to close other valuable parks across the state.”

Democratic Leader Scott M. Inman reiterated the caucus’s position that these closures unfairly target rural Eastern Oklahoma and that the Democrats in the House of Representatives will continue to fight take action to prevent these closures and protect our parks.

The parks scheduled for closure August 15thare:
•Adair State Park, Stilwell
•Beaver Dunes, Beaver
•Boggy Depot, Atoka
•Brushy Lake, Sallisaw
•Heavener Runestone State Park, Heavener
•Lake Eucha, Jay
•Wah-Sha-She, Copan

“I call upon our legislature, along with Governor Fallin, to ensure the Department of Tourism respects the taxpayers of Oklahoma by seeking their input before the move to close our state parks,” said Rep. Lockhart.

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