National parks have long struggled with deferred maintenance challenges in their efforts to ensure the public’s access to safe and accessible natural areas — a challenge that has only intensified in recent years with cuts to federal funds for repairs and upgrades. While that crisis has made some headlines, maintenance and engineering managers in state parks nationwide have faced the same issue as funding has tightened more than ever.
In Florida, for example, 175 state parks need nearly $759 million worth of repairs, maintenance and upgrades, according to The Capitolist. The bulk of that amount is needed address aging infrastructure, improve safety and accessibility and modernize outdated facilities like restrooms, trails, utilities and visitor centers, according to a recent report from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The report said $499.1 million would be required to complete all identified repair and maintenance projects by 2035. Water quality improvements would cost an estimated $75.9 million, and accessibility upgrades would cost about $20.3 million. Another $174.7 million is needed for road paving and stabilization projects.
It would take an additional $1.39 billion to cover long-term plans to improve the parks, the state’s Division of Recreation and Parks found. The plans include new construction and development projects like glamping and camping sites, restrooms, visitor centers, overlooks, staff residences, pavilions, storage facilities, bridges, boardwalks and more.
Dan Hounsell is senior editor for the facilities market. He has more than 30 years of experience writing about facilities maintenance, engineering and management.?
