On March 5, 2025, Board Member Michael Emans was in Columbus at the Ohio Statehouse to give testimony in front of the House Budget Committee for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. His testimony was to advocate for increased funding for the Division of Parks and Watercraft, specifically, our State Parks, including Grand Lake.
Michael highlighted the impact of rising inflation and mandated pay increases, which, without additional funding, force parks to divert resources from their operational budgets—ultimately stretching them too thin.
In 2024 alone, Ohio’s state parks saw over 30 million visitors. Grand Lake St. Marys, in particular, remains a key economic driver, attracting millions of visitors each year who contribute significantly to the local economy.
Rather than freezing budgets, increased funding is essential to preserve park infrastructure, retain skilled and dedicated staff, and ensure Ohio’s parks have the resources they need to continue thriving.
As Michael testified, “The Department of Natural Resources is stretched thin. Inflation has eroded their purchasing power, and the operating budget hasn’t kept pace. We’re asking park staff to maintain aging infrastructure, protect wildlife habitats, and serve growing crowds with fewer real dollars than they had a decade ago. That’s not sustainable. If we want our parks to remain the pride of Ohio – and a draw for tourists and residents alike – we need to invest in them.”
This is the second time Michael testified in front of the budget committee, as two years ago he successfully lobbied against budget freezes.
Now, it’s in the hands of the committee, and we’ll keep you posted as we receive new information.
Here’s the video – Michael’s testimony starts at 1:02. https://ohiochannel.org/collections/ohio-house-natural-resources-committee