Letter from Bill Holman, Secretary of NCDENR

December 2000

Dear Fellow Citizens:

It is my pleasure to present the Systemwide Plan for the North Carolina State Parks System. This plan provides a foundation and framework upon which the state parks system can be improved over the next five years. It has been written in response to the 1987 State Parks Act, which stipulates that the Systemwide Plan is to:

• evaluate the resources of the system;
• identify duplications and deficiencies in the system and make recommendations for their correction; and
• describe the anticipated trends in visitor use and the impacts these trends may have.

The Systemwide Plan highlights the outstanding accomplishments of the past five years such as establishing the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund as a consistent source of funding for acquisition, repair and development. The document also presents the important goals for the future. These include:

• strengthening the interpretation and education programs for each park;
• expanding natural resource protection and management;
• improving visitor services with professional staff on duty during all operating hours; and
• completing facility improvements and renovations.

These efforts will help insure that current and future generations can continue to enjoy and take pride in the North Carolina State Parks System.

Sincerely,
Bill Holman, Secretary

JBH/PKM

cc: Phillip K. McKnelly, Director Division of Parks and Recreation