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Ohio State Parks have experienced ( and are experiencing) increasing budget stress, stretching resources to the limit in all 74 parks. Ohio State Parks last three biennial budgets have been flat or declining while operating costs have continued to increase. The General Revenue Fund allocation to Ohio State Parks represents about one fifth of one percent of the state total GRF or 22 cent for every 100 GRF dollars. Revenues generated by the state parks now account for 43% of the operating budget. To meet these decrease overall revenues, ODNR has made significant cuts in operation, while struggling to maintain the level of service and excellence that Ohioans have come to expect in their State Parks. Workforce reductions of 22 percent since 2000 (628 full-time employees in 2000 compared with 490 today). Reorganization of the Statewide park system into 27 regional units, eliminating more than half of the 60 plus park manager positions. Only 42 parks now have on-site managers. Tar Hollow Region (Region 24)
In 1997, Ohio State Park received the first-ever Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Parks Association and National Sporting Goods Association recognizing Ohio State Parks as the finest state park system in the nation. In 2004, the division received the Pledge to Excellence (Tier1) award from the National Awards for Excellence (OAE) for its customer focus; adherence to core values; innovative approaches to overcome budgetary challenges; training and development of employees; and customer satisfaction survey system. |
