North Dakota Parks and Recreation details funding needs for cabins, deferred maintenance and Pembina Gorge

Cody Schultz, director of North Dakota Parks and Recreation, told the Appropriations — Education and Environment Division in a committee hearing that the agency is seeking a mix of one-time and base funding to complete deferred maintenance, build cabins and expand services at high-use parks such as Pembina Gorge.

Schultz said parks and outdoor recreation support the state economy and mental health, and that continued appropriations are needed to preserve infrastructure and serve growing visitor demand. “Our mission statement is to enrich generations, through experiences that connect people and places,” he said.

The agency outlined a multi-year portfolio of projects and budget requests, including funding for cabin construction, continued deferred maintenance and capital projects, a request to convert year‑round temporary staff to full FTE status, and technology upgrades to support cabin automation and staff operations. Schultz said one of the department’s most visible projects, Pembina Gorge Campground, had a May 2024 groundbreaking and remains on schedule for construction this summer.

Why it matters: Schultz told the committee that North Dakota state parks recorded about 1,200,000 vehicle-based visits in 2024 and that parks generate large economic benefits — citing a 2020 parks-only economic impact of $154,000,000 and a statewide outdoor recreation contribution (per a 2023 Bureau of Economic Analysis study) of roughly $1,600,000,000. The department also reported roughly 95,000 camping nights in 2024 and roughly 1,300–1,400 campsites across the system. Those demands, he said, drive the need for infrastructure upgrades and seasonal staffing.

Key funding items discussed - Cabin construction: Schultz said the department received a $2,400,000 appropriation for year‑round cabins but has not begun construction because approvals are pending from federal landowners for some proposed locations. He said the department has authority to…