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It's A Natural Decision <br /> <br />STATE PARK,q BOND RF~FF~RENDUNI <br /> FACT SI-IEET <br /> <br />STATE PARKS BOND ISSUE ON THE NOVEMBER 2ND STATEWIDE <br />BALLOT: <br /> <br />For the first time in the history of our state, a bond referendum <br />to support our state parks and recreation areas will be presented <br />to the voters of North Carolina. The $35 million bond referendum <br />is an effort to respond to the overwhelming demands North <br />Carolinians are making on today's state parks. A minimum of $24.5 <br />million will be available to fix up our parks. These funds will <br />be used to tackle a $~69 million ~acklog of urgent repairs and <br />renovations to ensure visitor health and safety, as well as to <br />develop much needed new facilities, such as visitor centers, <br />campgrounds, trails and picnic areas. It provides up to $10.5 <br />million to buy land to protect significant natural resources. <br /> <br />HOW MUCH WILL THE BOND COST THE TAXPAYER? <br /> <br />In North Carolina, no state government bond has ever caused taxes <br />to be raised. No tax increase or new funding source should be <br />necessary to support this bond. <br /> <br />If the state park bond is approved, only one penny per week or 52 <br />cents per year for each North Carolinian would be taken from the <br />existing funds to pay off the bond. This compares to a pack of <br />gum or a soft drink a year. <br /> <br />THE PRESENT: <br /> <br />Created 77 years ago, the North Carolina state parks system <br />protects some of the nation's most outstanding natural resources <br />and provides a variety of family-oriented outdoor recreation and <br />education opportunities. Due to a history of sporadic funding, <br />many of the parks are incomplete and lack even the most basic <br />facilities. Other parks suffer from aging and decaying <br />facilities that need critical repairs. <br /> <br />In 1992, more than ~0.2 million people visited state parks. With <br />more and more visitors using park facilities, if improvements are <br />not made, our parks will fall further and further into disrepair. <br /> <br />Many park facilities are not accessible to people with special <br />needs. The federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) orders <br />that public facilities provide goods and services to people with <br /> <br /> <br />