Of course I could toss in the towel and think the State and county will take the easiest route and just forget it, but it is up to us to demand they do otherwise.
Each park government whether State, county or city should keep in mind that parks are provided to promote the welfare of their populace and they are obligated to maintain this for them. We are guaranteed by our constitution a fair and equitable government along with the pursuit of individual happiness.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.
Texas parks and Wildlife Mission Statement poses: To manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
I am simply contending that campfires and charcoal fires are part of this “outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment” and want them to facilitate it…and others who feel the same way can join me in attempting to make a change – a reasonable one.
It is also a logical step on my part to make the assumption that people are not coming to their reserved campsite because of a fire ban if that was only an assumption, but it’s not. I was told by a Ranger when fire bans are placed, attendance falls off. When I called for reservations, the person who took it told me the same thing, that they have cancellations and possibly openings after a fire ban is placed, so call back to see if there are openings. This was when I tried to book at Pedernales Falls SP for early April.
Over-regulation and restriction of public resources has got to be called back and we folks who hunt, camp and hike should be very careful what we decide is okay. If Texas had millions of acres of public land, BLM land and national forest, easily accessible, then it would be no big deal what the authorities decide happens inside a state park, but that is not the case. We are a State with lots of private property, thus you have private parks and many hunting leases.
I bet “The Tedster” cooks meat on an open fire on his private land, regardless of what the County Commissioner decides and I wish I could get him on my side in this one. LOL
Anyway, thank you for your input and after all I wrote, you may be right. We’ll see.
