BARNEGAT LIGHT - Although the Barnegat Lighthouse has stood as a beacon to sailors and beachgoers along the Jersey Shore for almost 150 years, the state's fiscal constraints might force a local agency to take control of the park.
During the last two weeks, a variety of groups, including the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce and the Borough of Barnegat Light, have expressed an interest in operating the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. The state Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Parks and Forestry runs the park now.
"We would love to see it stay as is," said Kirk O. Larson, mayor of Barnegat Light. "But if there is a change, we would be more than willing to figure out a way to keep it and make sure it is left as is. We are preparing for what is going to happen."
During a recent Borough Council meeting, the council adopted a resolution asking the department, which now runs the park, to consider turning over its management to a local group. Officials said the group would include municipalities on Long Beach Island and a variety of different civic groups that include the Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, a volunteer group that helps raise funds for the continued operation of the park.
State officials are willing to listen to any idea of outsourcing the operation of the park, but they are not just going to off-load the park, said Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the department.
"We are willing to entertain discussions about the management partnerships for the park that would help in stretching resources during this time," he said. "But we would not be interested in giving the park away."
Serena White, president of the Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, said if state officials asked them to take over the park, they would.
"We would if we were asked, but right now it's too early in the process," she said.
Barnegat Light's interest in operating the park comes on the heels of representatives for the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce talking to state officials about the idea of running the park.
"We had exploratory talks with them [state officials], but it was no more than that," said Rick Reynolds, executive director of the chamber. "We want to keep in control locally rather than an outside vendor or management company coming in."
According to the chambers' plan, a fee would be charged for parking and entrance into the lighthouse. Reynolds said the fee would be only "a couple of dollars." Currently, there is a $1 fee to enter the lighthouse during the summer.
"It would be similar to what is done in Absecon and Cape May," Reynolds said. "We would need some type of income to help cover the cost of operation."
Officials said it would cost approximately $250,000 a year to run the park.
The idea of privatization of state parks is nothing new. In July 2010, a report issued by the New Jersey Privatization Task Force stated state officials should look into "long-term concession agreements for the operations and management of all state parks" as a way to save money.
Jeff Tittel, the executive director of the Sierra Club's New Jersey chapter, said the talk of privatizations showed state officials were interested in getting out of the parks business. The club is a nonprofit group that seeks to protect public access.
"Three years ago, the budget for the parks system in the state was $45 million; now it's $26 million," he said. "Fifteen years ago, staffing was approximately 850 at state parks; now we are down 407 staff members. We are seeing a dismantling of the state park system."
Joseph Mancini, mayor of Long Beach Township, said the park should stay under the control of either the borough or the Friends group.
"I don't think that anyone should be making money off the lighthouse," Mancini said. "This does not belong in private hands. It belongs in the public's hands. We will be willing to kick in a couple of bucks to make sure the whole situation works out."
