Editorial: Parks issue a microcosm of economic issue

We're all trying to find ways to cut back our spending, whether it’s on a personal level, a city or county level, or statewide. Some of us have given up our daily stop at the coffee shop. Some have traded in their new car to get rid of a costly monthly payment. Some are renting out a property because they’re having trouble selling it.

It’s no different outside of our own budgets. Municipalities are delaying infrastructure projects and businesses are being forced to cut back everywhere they can just to survive.

At the state level, it may be worse. With the state facing an $8.5 billion deficit — and Kopachuck and Joemma Beach on the list of 13 state parks scheduled to close at the end of September in Gov. Christine Gregoire’s proposed biennial budget — Sen. Derek Kilmer tried to put it in perspective. Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, said if we close all state parks, state prisons, state universities and community colleges, and if we cut all state-run programs for the elderly, we would come close to cutting the deficit.

It’s an uphill battle, indeed.

Still, several hundred people showed their support — despite a drizzling rain — of keeping Kopachuck open during a rally put together by Preserve Our Park on Sunday. Clearly, the park means a lot more to local residents than just a political agenda.

What we should remember, though, is that every community statewide will have a Kopachuck State Park, a “sacred cow” that they’ll band together in order to save. Unfortunately, not all of us will get our way. The state has a number it must Constitutionally reach in order to balance its budget, and casualties undoubtedly will occur.

What can we do? First, fight to keep the park a public space, because even if the state won’t pay to maintain it, there could be other ways to do it on a smaller level.

What if 300 volunteers each spent a day picking up trash? What if PenMet Parks or Key Pen Parks take on the responsibility? Would you be willing to approve a levy to make it happen?

The public space and beach access mean a lot to us, but in order to keep them open, we may need to give more than money. We may need to give our time.