By HAYLEE BATES, Student Reporter
An assistant professor at Northwestern spends her summers working at a state park that is being considered for closure by the state government.
Dr. Dena Walker, assistant professor of mathematics, has spent three summers working part time at Alabaster Caverns, and she has just agreed to work her fourth straight summer this year despite the closing threats. Walker’s official title at the park is historical interpreter; in her position, she serves as a seasonal tour guide. Walker takes groups as large as 40 people through the main cave.
“We have stops in the cave where we stop and talk about things and point things out,” Walker said. “We ensure their safety and ensure that they have a good time when visiting our cave.”
Alabaster Caverns requires visitors to pay an admissions fee if they plan to tour the caves. The park also has a gift shop for individuals to pick up souvenirs and information packets on Alabaster Caverns. These two areas generate revenue for the park, which most years allows it to be self-sustained.
“Alabaster Caverns sees, on average, 25,000 people a year,” Walker said. “The summer is the main season that people do come, although it is open 363 days a year.”
Even though the Alabaster Caverns sees several thousand people a year and usually generates enough money to meet the park’s needs, the state has still added it to the list of possible closures.
“Alabaster Caverns is a one of a kind adventure,” Walker said. “Closing the park would impact people coming to visit. It wouldn’t allow them to get to see something that is a one of a kind thing. It would definitely take away from a learning opportunity. The state talks about how important education is, and this is a learning opportunity to educate people.”
Tourism is Oklahoma’s third largest industry, and the state government is still considering closing half of Oklahoma’s state parks.
“I think there are some other ways to cut,” Walker said. “The sad part is when you close a state park, unless a private entity comes and takes it over, it just sits there.”
Individuals that are interested in state parks throughout Oklahoma can join a program called the Oklahoma Passport. This program gives individuals a small booklet where they can go to each state park and receive a sticker to put on the corresponding page of the passport.
“Visiting state parks is the best way to keep them open,” Walker said.