There was a huge sigh of relief Wednesday when Gov. Robert Bentley ordered a delay in the closing of four Alabama state parks and two golf courses.

Paul M. Grist State Park in Selma, along with Bladon Springs, Chickasaw, Buck’s Pocket and golf courses at Roland Cooper and Lakepoint, were scheduled to close their doors May 1 due to proposed budget cuts to the state’s General Fund.

“I was encouraged and relieved for our employees and for our visitors that love those parks so much. It feels like the first win in this whole battle,” said state parks director Greg Lein. “It encouraged me because it made me feel like the governor’s fighting for us and all of these other state agencies, and he’s gaining some traction.”

The proposed budget cuts included taking away $11.4 million from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The proposed cuts forced the department to make an emergency operations plan, which was announced April 15.

“We’re going to have to still plan for the worst, but it allows our staff to focus on their job right now,” Lein said. “Closing a couple of those [parks] was a big distraction, and it was hard on moral. This is a boost in their moral. We all take this as the governor gaining ground in his fight for us.”

According to Lein, 15 employees were set to be out of work May 1.

“It makes me think there is some optimism here that he’s got some dialogue going with the legislators, and he thinks that he’s going to be able to make things work,” Lein said. “There is still a crisis, but on May 1 [those 15 employees] are still going to have a job, and that is a huge relief for me.”

The plan called for 15 parks to eventually close their doors. For now, that plan is on hold due to Bentley’s order and an outcry from park supporters.

“The support has been huge. There is a partners coalition that has formed. They started a Facebook page, and it’s gone from zero to over 10,000 friends,” Lein said. “That is showing me that there is a lot of interest. Peoeple are posting things on there about the love of the parks, and it has been encouraging to say the least.”

While the delay of park closings is just temporary, Lein said they are focusing on maintaining the parks and getting people to come out and enjoy them.

“We’ve got this big bring a friend campaign going on right now,” Lein said. “We’re encouraging people to bring a friend, and they get a discount if they do. That is just one of a bunch of different things we’re trying to do to build business.”

Lein said the best thing they can do now is encourage people to use the parks and let them know that they are still open.

“We’ve got to defeat all of this talk about the park closures in the mind of the public,” Lein said. “We need them to know the parks are open. Please go out and use them and bring 10 of your friends.”

Paul M. Grist State Park is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. The park offers camping, hiking, horseback riding, swimming and fishing, among other activities. For more information on the park, call 872-5846.