Buck's Pocket State Park

Morgan's Cove, a backwater of the Tennessee River on Lake Guntersville, is part of Buck's Pocket State Park. The park was scheduled to close May 1 because of state budget shortfalls, but will remain open until further notice. (File)

Four state parks and two golf courses threatened with closure May 1 by the state's budget crisis will now stay open "until further notice," State Parks Director Greg Lein said today.

Lein announced April 15 that the following parks would close May 1 due to lack of funding: Bladon Springs, Chickasaw, Buck's Pocket and Paul M. Grist. The golf courses at Roland Cooper and Lakepoint were to close as well.

"Since that time, we have received a tremendous amount of support from the public. In addition, the governor's office and the legislature have received an outcry for our parks to stay open and for them to receive full funding," Lein said. "Given these recent developments and discussions that are taking place in Montgomery, Gov. Bentley has instructed the state parks division to delay these closings slated for May 1 until further notice."

Lein told park supporters, "What you are doing is working and has a huge impact on ensuring that State Parks funding is protected. We encourage all supporters of the parks system to continue to communicate within your families, your communities, and among your elected officials to resolve this funding crisis once and for all."

Lein said the parks system still faces "extreme measures" if the budget problem isn't solved.