Published: October 31, 2008 12:50 am      

Slot machines aren’t why we have state parks

How hasn’t anyone noticed that Maryland is poised to become the only state in the country to put gambling in a state park (our beloved Rocky Gap State Park)?

Having grown up in Maryland and proudly served the Department of Natural Resources as a Maryland State Park Naturalist for over 10 years, I am astounded a state that loves its state parks as much as Maryland would consider voting for such a proposal.

I have spent many wonderful days hiking, catfishing, camping, canoeing and hunting around Lake Habeeb in Rocky Gap State park. The 3,000 acre preserve that composes the park is certainly a Maryland treasure. I was reluctant many years ago to the concept of a lodge being built as an economic development initiative, since I had never seen a fiscally successful state park lodge in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio or Tennessee state parks. We can’t make a second mistake to try to fix another.

I currently reside in Delaware, where I am employed as the chief park naturalist for Delaware State Parks so I can’t vote on Nov. 4 but I am praying this measure fails. Slots are legal here in Delaware, and personally I don’t oppose slots, but I am not willing to sacrifice Maryland’s special places for slots revenue. What’s next, Sandy Point going condo? I am sure that would raise revenue estimates. But like gambling, it is not why we have state parks.

Ray Bivens

Frederica, Del.