Joe Citizen's Facebook blog: State parks and corporate sponsorship

New Hampshire's state park system relies solely on user fees for upkeep and improvements. It doesn't receive state or federal funding. Because of recent economic budget cuts, our parks are facing a $1.8 million deficit.

So now New Hampshire, like other states, is considering a corporate sponsorship, and Eastern Mountain Sports is first in line.

Ted Austin, director of the state Division of Parks and Recreation, said a corporate partnership with Eastern Mountain Sports, which he started exploring in February, keeps within the mandate he's under to explore new models for collaborating with both the public and private sector.

A partnership may mean a little cross promotion; NH park personnel may wear uniforms with the EMS logo. EMS might offer kayaking lessons to park enthusiasts and promote the state parks in its stores.

Nothing is definite yet, but we asked LFDA Facebook users to give us an idea of how they feel about a partnership.

Here's a sampling:

Rick Manseau: "I'm all for Corporate assistance as long as the money is DEDICATED to the parks and doesn't get skimmed off for the politicians' pet projects. Sponsorships work well in many other public and semi-public sectors."

Jim Norman: "I think Corporate "donations" are just fine as long as they get nothing more than a pat on the back and maybe a tasteful placard. If the state can not afford a park then they should think about selling the land off and move on."

Bonnie Isabelle: "I say no. Let the people who use the parks pay a fee as they do already. If the parks start getting state or federal funding that means another tax and everyone will be paying even if they do not use them."

Michael Morin: "State Parks are state treasures. As long as it is tastefully done, give EMS greater access and also get EMS to promote state parks in their stores."

Butch Morrison: "If getting corporate assistance will prevent new taxes or fees I say go for it!"

Richard Fogal: "I support them charging an entry fee of a couple of bucks for out-of-state residents. In-state residents should be able to use our state parks for free. Corporate sponsorship is fine so long as it's tasteful..."

What do you think?