Green Jersey

N.J. considers corporate sponsorship of parks

The state is weighing corporate sponsorships for parks, according to the Department of Environmental Protection, via the Associated Press.

The days of PSE&G State Forest aren’t imminent — this is just one of the options on the table, DEP spokeswoman Elaine Makatura told the AP.

Gov. Corzine had proposed closing 9 state parks and cutting services at others to save $4.5 million, part of an overall $8.8 million cut to the DEP’s budget. The proposed changes would take effect July 1.

Washington State considered corporate sponsorship for parks in 2006.

But Virginia Painter, spokeswoman for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, said the commission never voted on the idea.

“I think the consensus was clear that they would not support parks being named for corporations, nor would they support large commercial-looking displays noting sponsors in parks,” Painter said.

In Washington, she said, “There’s a lot of sensitivity around not commercializing our parks — both within our state parks agency and with the public.”