New Hampshire is a state that prides itself, and often sells itself, on its natural beauty. Much of that beauty is protected and enjoyed through the NH State Park System. However, as the only state park system in the country that is entirely self-funded, the system has found itself struggling to keep up with park demand, upkeep and improvements. At the same time, it suffers from a growing total deficit of $1.8 million.

On November 23, 2009, the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation released the New Hampshire State Park System Ten-Year Strategic Development and Capital Improvement Plan. The new plan lays out a number of steps, including management restructuring, better use of volunteers, and the categorization of parks, to see the system through the next decade. But perhaps one of the most critical of these steps, according to the plan, is direct state funding.

Ted Austin, director of the Division of Parks and Recreation, introduced the plan at a press conference, and video of his remarks can be found below.

The latest news on the State Park Development Plan can be found on the NH State Park website.

Director Austin on State Park Plan, Part 1

Director Austin on State Park Plan, Part 2