With its waterfalls, hiking trails and camping sites, Chewacla State Park offers a chance for the Auburn community to enjoy a piece of nature.
However, recent state legislation has placed Chewacla on a list to face widespread cutbacks.
House Bill 154 passed in the Alabama State Legislature Thursday, April 4, leading to a statewide $5 million budget cut.
"Right now all the parks are kind of like in a holding pattern," said Odell Banks, project manager at Chewacla. "We are waiting to see where we are going to be cut at, who is going to get cut and how much is going to get cut. I am expecting it to be across the board. Every park is going to be affected, and we don't know how to severe it is yet."
As well as its effects on Chewacla, H.B. 154 affects 21 other state parks.
"For me, I manage this park which is my concern," Banks said. "When they start talking about taking money then of course I am going to get on the offensive side."
Banks, who has worked for Chewacla State Park since 1998, said he does everything from making purchases to hiring employees to cutting the grass.
Chewacla employs four full-time employees and two seasonal employees to maintain and run the 696-acre park.
Banks said he fears job loss is a possibility as a result of these budget cuts.
Last Sunday, April 7, alone Chewacla saw 730 adults, 50 kids and 14 seniors.
Banks said the cutbacks would affect the offseason.
"Maintenance will probably be one of the areas we will be hit," Banks said. "In other words, if it ain't broke or you can fix it and make it work again then do that instead of repairing it like it should be done to get it permanently fixed."
Chewacla was the only park of the 22 state parks to make a profit last season.
Unfortunately, Banks said revenue from last season means little for Chewacla.
All park profits go into a singular account in Montgomery for legislatures to use when necessary for all state park necessities. Montgomery then pays payroll and provides other project funding, Banks said.
One alternative Banks is considering is having the park offices being closed on certain days with entrances being on an honor basis.
Banks said he still holds on to hope of updating Chewacla. Many of the structures on the land are the original ones built in the 1930s.
Within the last four years, the way the park has been funded has changed, Banks said.
"Something needs to be done for the parks here," Banks said. "Either come up with a specific tax that is specifically for the parks that cannot be bothered; cannot be touched and either leave them alone or do it on an individualized basis."
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