Arizona weighs privatization for state parks

PHOENIX — Arizona officials are exploring possible privatization options to reopen closed state parks in the face of continuing budget constraints.

Requests for proposals either already issued or being considered for the Oracle and Lyman Lake parks could result in them being operated by private companies.

The parks system already uses concessionaires to provide some services at parks, but Executive Director Renee Bahl says the RFPs could have the system go further in relying on the private sector to operate parks in order to serve the public and help the economy.