WHAT: The nation’s state parks

THE PROBLEM: Deepening budget woes have left parks in sad disrepair.

WHY IT’S OUTRAGEOUS: Roads, sewers and roofs are collapsing at treasured public spaces across the country as the economic crisis has left administrators without funding to maintain or repair parks. Some facilities are becoming inaccessible as bridges and tunnels are blocked off because of dangerous conditions. The costs of the maintenance backlogs are climbing into the billions, leaving visitors wondering if the parks will ever return to their glory days.

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