DAPHNE, Ala.—The state legislature supports Historic Blakeley State Park, “but (funding) has been cut substantially,” according to park director Jo Ann Flirt.

Annual state funding for the park has decreased from $430,000 to $200,000, she said.

“We cannot survive on that,” she said, adding that the park—which for four years has received decreases in state funding—laid off a ranger and hired no replacement; it mostly relies on revenues from park user fees and campground costs.

Offering camping grounds and more frequent boat tours are some of the ways the park has aimed to boost revenues.

However, “revenue has gone down while costs have gone up,” Flirt said.

Though the park could use the money, she realized state funding is needed in other areas. She cited an increased state allotment for Medicaid, which has doubled from 17 percent to 35 percent as the reason the park’s funding woes.

“It’s difficult to ask for dollars to run a nature and historical park when people need money for Medicaid,” she said.

Flirt added that preserving history is just one of Blakeley Park’s functions.

“We are (also) a nature park and a Civil War battlefield.”

Among Blakeley’s recreational activities are walking, biking and horse trails.

Boat tours are available for those who wish to traverse the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta on a pontoon boat.

The park saw an influx of campers who attended this year’s Zydeco Festival in Daphne,  Flirt said. It received such a financial boost that staffers are considering adding a link to the festival on its Web site.