After being closed two weeks ago, the gates of Paul Grist State Park could be one step closer to being reopened.

Dallas County submitted a proposal to the state last Wednesday to take over operating the park.

“I submitted a proposal to them Wednesday of last week, and it basically said that we would do the same type of operation up there that the state has done,” said Dallas County Commission Chairman and Probate Judge Kim Ballard.

“I feel like the state doesn’t want the park to remain closed. They just don’t want any responsibility financially of keeping it open.”

The Alabama State Parks Division announced Grist along with four other parks would close Oct. 15 due to budget cuts to the state park system. The system had $3 million transferred to the state’s general fund budget.

Ballard said the park had an estimated budget last year of $170,000 and made around $40,000 from concessions, boat rentals and other fees.

For the county to run the park, it was take an estimated $30,000 to $40,000, according to Ballard, but he feels like the park’s income would offset the cost.

The park operated with three employees, but the commission feels like one full-time employee with the combination of volunteers can get the job done.

“There are so many people that want to volunteer to keep that park open,” said commissioner Roy Moore. “I was really surprised at the number of people that are willing to spend some time and volunteer to maintain that park up there.”

Ballard said he has heard from at least 50 people with tractors and other equipment that are willing to spend time maintaining the park by mowing the grass, keeping the trails cleared and performing any other duties that need to be done.

When the announcement was made, Moore said the commission was determined to find a way to take over the park because of how much it means to Dallas County and the people that enjoy its beauty.

The park is named after Paul M. Grist, who established a camp there for the Selma YMCA in the 1940s.

“I don’t know a person who changed as many young people’s lives as Paul Grist did,” Moore said.

Ballard called Grist an icon to Selma and Dallas County because of the impact he had on young men’s lives through his work with the YMCA.

With the park’s fate in the hands of the Alabama State Park’s Division, Ballard said he expects a decision from the state by December.

“We can act on it real quick. We don’t have to go through the bureaucracy, [but] they do,” Ballard said. “It is probably going to be another month before the state gives a reply to the proposal they got over there in front of them.”

Ballard said he got a good impression from the state, so the commission is confident the county will be able to operate it.

“I felt like we were all on the same page. We all want the same thing,” Ballard said.

“We want the park to stay open. I feel confident that we’re going to be able to work it out.”