Proposed budget cuts have targeted 15 Alabama State Parks. Among them is Selma’s own Paul Grist.

The cuts would take $11.4 million away from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. That is just a fraction of the proposed General Fund cuts lawmakers are proposing.

As park gates are closed, jobs will be lost and recreational opportunities will be long gone.

The state of Alabama has a long-standing problem with obesity. It is ranked eighth in the nation for adult obesity with a 32.4 percent rating.

At a time when technology and other escapes are keeping people inside and less active, closing 15 state parks is a tragedy. These parks provide people with a multitude of activities to partake in: hiking, fishing, camping and boating are just a few to name.

The parks give people an opportunity to escape from their homes and experience nature in a family friendly, safe environment.

Closing 15 state parks will make that an even bigger problem. It will limit outdoor activities for people and contribute in Alabama’s growing obesity rate.

The cuts won’t just take away the budget the parks have available, but they will also dip into the revenue generated from them, which is the majority of the money they have to pay employees and maintain the parks.

Lawmakers need to address this issue, which is just the first to come if the cuts are indeed made. Once the parks close, the problems will just keep coming.

People need to let their voices be heard by talking to state legislators and letting them know how they feel. They also need to take advantage of the parks while they are still open. Paul Grist will shut its doors May 1 unless more funding becomes available. In the meantime, take your family and friends there. Show lawmakers that state parks are needed and something the people of Alabama enjoy. If not, those good times could soon be gone.