“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it, misdiagnosing it, and then misapplying the wrong remedies.” - Groucho Marx
As I am sure all of you have heard, the State budget is the big talk in the Capitol. Again this year there is just not enough money to go around and many things will have to change to keep our state running. I am sure that everyone has their own opinion and ideas of how we can help get thru these tough times, and we would love to hear about it. REMEMBER this blog is for constructive ideas and positive in nature all others will be deleted.
Well spring is here again and the campsites and cabins are once again (thank goodness) open for the summer season. Tell us what you think of the condition of the park in this time of reduced spending and staffing. Feel free to comment on anything pertaining to the park, the staff, or anything else. And yes these comments get read and some even forwarded to people within the state park services for suggestions on how to improve our Park. So Please tell us what you think, and what you would like to see changed.
We are halfway through the winter shutdown of the parks and we want to hear what the people have to say. With the down regulation of staff and services we want to know your thoughts on the current state of the Park. So give us your goods, your bads, or just your overall thoughts of this shutdown program. Its important that we let the lawmakers know how we feel.
David Weber: Well, it kinda sucks, because it made Paul Taylor Retire, Although he now does the exact same thing for no money. (01/24/09)
Dean Radcliffe: I've only recently discovered this wonderful place and had been driving up each weekend with my daughter and our dogs.I live in Atlantic county it takes one hour and 10 min and is well worth the trip so I believe if a visitor center had greeted me ,They would have already benefited from my finding this place if we had a place where hot chocolate on winter days and icecream for summer was available and certainly any sort of a voluntary fund drive for the park was visual I am sure my money would be in the bag its a mistake to let go something that was started by one of our great leaders just goes to show you how much concern they really don't have for the preservation of heritage.If new jersey had been passed this responsibility than be responsible! (02/08/09)
evans w robinson: On 1 apr 09 and 2 apr 09 stayed at the old cabin keepers cabin now number 18. I felt like the native american that was on the t.v years ago with a tear coming out of his eye. the t.v. was about litter but i noticed so many trees cut and i was suprised trees leaning on the road they were not cut and so many just left. Years ago my father said it is a park not a state forest. He would have the trees cut low no stumps and the wood taken away. I had a tear thinking what has happened. In many ways the park should be open to all and the area that is fence in at the bathing lake area so be used for a home for our political leaders and the inmates from riverfront at least that area would be used. Very few people use the main beach area it might as well be closed a big mistake putting up the expensive fence. I recall the old ccc camp were the p.o.w. WWII were kept I would be happy to give tours and explain what I saw there when I was younger I recall the ball field I was in some of the buildings and recall the roads and gun tower foundations and the fire pipe near the river.Yours truly evans w robinson (04/17/09)
Trenton has now agreed to keep the state parks open, but with a catch.......we don't know for sure how long. The problem still comes down to money. The lawmakers are going to continue to fund the State Parks for the time being but with some restructuring. We need to look for long term answers for funding not short term fixes. We welcome suggestions on how we can have a steady income for Parvin for years and years to come or ways to save money in our Park.
nj mike: If New Jersey were to reduce the number of overpaid politicians. Who get a full state pension for holding the position even for part time work even if it is held only a couple of years. Where every other state employee needs to have 20 to 25 years of service plus their age just to get a full pension. If this were to be changed or reduced it would bring the state out of debt and save all state parks. Then we would be in the green. (that's a new place for NJ to visit) (05/27/08)
Holly Eckert: I would love to see more cabins for rent - this will be the 3rd summer/fall that i have been trying to rent one of your gorgeous cabins without booking it far in advance and it seems to be virtually impossible. I have also researched much of so jersey to find other campgrounds that offer cabin rentals and they are very few and far between. If you have that much success with them, why not expand? Cabis are great for love nests, family get togethers and just to get away, and much cozier than tent sites. Thank you for your attention. (06/11/08)
Fred: What about holding Civil War and Rev War re-enactments there? They could be held yearly. Living Histories could be held periodically. Some units would show up for free if they knew it was helping the park stay open. (07/19/08)
Joanne: There are many crafters/businesses/school & scouting organizations living within Parvin's community area. Perhaps the summer weekends could be used for craft/fundraising fairs. Parvin would benefit by charging a set fee for lot rentals for any interested crafters/business/school & scouting organizations wishing to use the grounds at Parvin and the renters could earn/promote their organizations. (10/06/08)
Mary Single: My family and I have been camping in Parvin for 43 years, ever since I was nine years old. It has become a family tradition, we have family reuniouns there. My children and my brothers and sisters kid have looked forward to this every October. My father and mother ( who has recently passed) made it there commitment to come here for our family. Please don't take that away from us. I now have a grandchild who I would like to pass this traditoin on to. We need this park. (10/22/08)
David Weber: Well, personally, I love the park. I was attracted to the park because Paul E. Taylor, who many who work at the park know, goes to my church.I enjoy going on his walks and all the other activities he does. Besides that, I think, though not a permanent fix, a small start would be to do what the Bridgeton Zoo has been doing for years: have donation boxes at numerous areas in the park for those who really care to through in their lose pocket change, or even more. Its at least something and it wouldn't hurt to try. Also I really want to start helping out and volunteering, which I sorta do by helping Mr. Taylor, but I'm only in 9th Grade, and School takes up 7 hours of the day, so I can't help as much as I want to. (01/02/09)
Sonny Clearspirit: My family bloodline extends well over the time span of 1676 to the present, what Im about to say will not take well with all,but it will set the tone for the overall point made > Cumberland County,Salem County long overshadowed by what it has offered for support of its country,its state and its citizens.South Jersey was always at the forefront in utilizing itself in multiple facets in the foundation of democracy and the creation of this great United States.The first Defense Airport Millville NJ,,Fort Dix,McGuire,Warren Grove,etc.,the formidable Batsto with its bogs supplying our forefathers with the supplies it needed during the revolutionary war,many small but essential skirmishes in the woods and fields of South Jersey catapulted this Garden State to the front lines,the glass for centuries,the sand utilized worldwide in making the finest glass products available anywhere.If it wasnt for the farms of South Jersey there would be a tomatoes,not a Jersey Beefsteak Tomato.Yep your Campbells soup wouldnt be Vegetable without Jersey.So herein lies the solution .Residents need to be involved,stop electing people that arent born and raised in an area and have far more than a financial interest in the area.These outsiders dont understand the history,the importance of South Jersey and the histories of our State Parks,the real history,this is where we walk with the spirits of our past,Delaware may of been the first state,But what came first?the wheel or the cart?They cant close the parks if you want them open.(maybe they could utilize some of the millions a year in out of state garbage and hazardous waste funds that is accrued charging states cash by wieght for the waste they bring in and dump here,you know in the good places to dump bury and build dirt mountains then made into baseball fields for youth ,next to the peaslee wildlife management area nw of union lake(wonder why theres mercury in the lake and iodine????)if the citizens of the county dont wake up south jersey will end up a industrial wasteland,the garbage state.iI hope ive made my point and given some insight.Jersey is the diamond in the rough,itll always be here,we may not be. (07/26/09)
Paul Esposito: Every year I gather together 10-15 of my employees to do a day of group volunteer work, this is supported by my company, CIT Group Inc. Through all of my internet searches I was unable to find anything in the South Jersey area that fit the bill - we were looking to do a cleanup somehere, plant trees, etc. Suddenly out of nowhere, I thought of contacting Parvin to see if we could help out. I found Parvins website and also stumbled upon this blog, and to my dismay learned that Parvin is in trouble, due to cutbacks in the States budget. I contacted Parvin today and was kindly greeted, and learned that they do indeed need volunteers. We will be scheduling a day for my team to come and give the park the maintenance it needs. I would like to see Parvin reach and post its needs on the Internet, on websites such as Volunteermatch.org. This would drive more awareness to the parks needs and give Parvin the man/woman power to keep it going. I have only visited Parvin once before for a day hike, but now that I know it needs our help, I will be coming back much more often to see if I can pitch in to keep it going. The history and natural resources of the park need to be maintaned and protected. I suggest everyone take a day and pitch in and help out, its good for the soul. (05/12/09)
Jeff Weselinski: Parvin state park to me, is an awesome place. Not only for camping, beautiful sunsets, the peace and quiet, but The bass fishing. I am an avid bass fisherman and I will not bass fish anywhere else (that is of course if I am fishing a tournament). This lake has the best bass fishing in South Jersey. Even bypassing Union Lake!!! The lunker bass program definitly works for this lake. As the sign says, this a lunker lake , they were not kidding. Most of the bass I caught, have been two pounds plus and at least one time per visit, I have caught a bass four pounds or more. So, not only is the park one of the cleanest and best in the state, but the bass fishing is hard to beat!! As long as the bass are big and healthy I will not go anywhere else, and I cannot wait to bring my kids when they are old enough to camp and fish in this outdoor paradise. (06/05/09)
D. Blarcom: Thanks for plowing the parking lot. It permitted us to cross country ski in the park today. What a wonderful time. Thannks! (12/23/09)