A nutty idea to raise cash

State Rep. Wendell Gilliard has an idea that will help state government grapple with its budget woes, and financially speaking, it's not peanuts.

It's pecans.

The Charleston Democrat has pushed successfully for the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism to allow park-goers to collect a large bag of pecans -- for a $5 fee.

Gilliard's legislative district is next to Charles Towne Landing, a state park with several mature pecan trees. Ever since he served on Charleston City Council, Gilliard said residents have complained to him about being unable to pick them up, and he vowed to try to change that when he could.

Gilliard recently got in touch with PRT's upper management, and the exchange bore fruit, or something like that.

Marion Edmonds, PRT communications director, said park visitors always have been able to pick up a handful of nuts and put them in their pocket, and that will remain the same.

But anyone who wants to pick up enough nuts for several pies will be asked to buy a $5 permit.

Edmonds said only a few of the state's 47 state parks have several mature pecan trees, including Charles Towne Landing, McCalla State Natural Area outside Abbeville and the Redcliffe Plantation and Rose Hill Plantation state historic sites.

Despite tough budget times, the agency won't shake the trees to try to glean an economic windfall. "Almost all these are very old trees," Edmonds said. "They're past the point where they could be economically managed for nut production."

There's no estimate about how much more money park visitors might shell out to bag pecans, but Gilliard said it's as much about avoiding waste as it is bringing in revenue.

"Some might say it's a small item, but it's an item generating money," he said. "When you see all the pecans rotted on the ground, it's a shame."

He also said everyone seems happy about his plan, except perhaps the parks' critters.

"You see the squirrels out here, and it looks like they've gained weight," Gilliard said. "They walk around with toothpicks in their mouths."

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.