DEP Parks Concession Shows Impact of Budget Cuts to Parks

The Department of Environmental Protection announced that they will begin accepting applications from vendors to operate concessions at parks and recreational areas at the Atision Recreational Area in Wharton State and Forest, Bass River State Forest in Burlington County, and other state parks in New Jersey.

“The DEP is now looking for private vendors for concession stations to do the job that NJDEP staff used to do.  Because funding for DEP has been cut especially park staff, there are not enough people to do many jobs of the agency. We’re down from 1,000 to 400 parks and forestry workers while we’ve added 40% more land to open space. We need to start hiring more people to do the core work of the department and find a stable source of funding for our parks. It’s important to build up morale and funding in the department that’s been disheartened and slashed over the last nine years,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “These different concession used to be run by state employees but we keep outsourcing because of the cuts in funding.”

In addition, the DEP is accepting proposals for a mobile food concession at Leonardo State Marina in Monmouth County; a food and novelty concession at the Shepherd Lake Recreation Area at Ringwood State Park in Passaic County; and a food and novelty concession at Parvin State Park in Salem County.

“There is nothing wrong with having concessions for our parks but long as they are open to public, not too expensive, and don’t close any areas of the park.  As we keep cutting our staff and outsourcing our parks, we are concerned that they will privatize our parks. We have been in battles with privatizing parks. We fought against the hotel, millionaire’s golf course and private marina at Liberty state parks. We also fought against private food court at Island Beach State Park. DEP looking for concession can be a slippery slope towards privatization,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Other governors have also tried to monetize our parks by leasing them out as a source of revenue.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2019

Contact: Lawrence Hajna     (609) 984-1795
Caryn Shinske        (609) 292-2994

DEP INVITES EXPERIENCED VENDORS TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS TO OPERATE CONCESSIONS AT SEVEN STATE PARK SYSTEM SITES

(19/P03) TRENTON – To enhance visitors’ experiences, the Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Parks and Forestry is accepting applications from experienced vendors to operate concessions at parks, recreation areas and other units of the state park system.

Proposals are being accepted for food, novelty and stand-up paddleboard concessions at the Atsion Recreation Area in Wharton State Forest in Burlington County; a boat-livery concession at Bass River State Forest in Burlington County; a food and novelty concession at Belleplain State Forest in Cape May County; and a food and novelty concession at the Round Valley Recreation Area in Hunterdon County.

In addition, the DEP is accepting proposals for a mobile food concession at Leonardo State Marina in Monmouth County; a food and novelty concession at the Shepherd Lake Recreation Area at Ringwood State Park in Passaic County; and a food and novelty concession at Parvin State Park in Salem County.

Each concession term typically runs from the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, with the option to renew the concession for up to five subsequent renewal terms.  Please refer to the specific Concession Bid Specifications for more detailed information at www.njparksandforests.org/parks/business_ops/current_concession.htm

The DEP will accept written questions and inquiries regarding the concession opportunities listed above from all potential bidders.  Questions may be directed only to the DEP and must be submitted by email by Feb. 4 to OfficeofLeases@dep.nj.gov

Separate sealed proposals and prequalification applications for operation of the concessions at the locations listed above must be received by noon on Tuesday, March 5. They are to be sent to:

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Natural & Historic Resources
Office of Leases & Concessions
501 East State Street, Station Plaza 5, 3rd Floor
Mail Code: 501-04C
P.O. Box 420
Trenton, NJ 08625-0420

Late submittals will be ineligible for consideration.