Library Home > Government Documents > Past Displays > Save California State Parks from Closure

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California State Parks contains the largest and most diverse natural and cultural heritage holding of any state agency in the nation. They encompass, 278 parks and 1.4 million acres, 280 miles of coastline and 625 miles of river and lake frontage, 3,000 miles of biking hiking and equestrian trails and 15,000 campsites (1). They are a low-cost recreation option for millions of visitors each year and provide an important historical and natural resource for parents and teachers to engage children with the natural environment and immerse them in California’s rich history. California parks also play a vital role in the protection of natural resources. Sadly, the services provided by California’s State Parks are under threat by a proposal that would shut most of them down.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed to eliminate General Fund support for the 220 of California State Parks that rely on it. The proposed closure of 80% of California’s State Parks is part of the Governors budget plan to save $213 million over the next two years. Twenty-two of the proposed park closures are on the North Coast. The consequent drop in tourism could further damage it and other coastal counties that depend on the income of tourists to survive. Fourteen of the proposed park closures are in Humboldt County.

The savings from closing the parks would be insignificant. According to California State Parks Foundation President Elizabeth Goldstein, for every dollar that funds the parks, visitors to the communities surrounding the parks spend $2.35 in tax revenue that is returned to the General fund. The closures could result in a state loss of $350 million in revenue (2). Closing California’s parks is a terrible idea. I encourage you to join the fight to keep California’s parks open.

(1) California Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved August 10, 2009, from Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Department_of_Parks_and_Recreation

(2) Rogers, Paul (2009, May, 29). Schwarzenegger proposes closing 80 percent of California state parks, Retrieved August 10, 2009, from http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_12495868

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More Information can be found on the following websites:

TAKE ACTION TO SAVE CALIFORNIA’S STATE PARKS

• Official website for California State Parks.: http://www.parks.ca.gov/
• Weekends of Action: August 22 – Labor Day (September 7, 2009): http://www.calparks.org/takeaction/i-heart-sp.html
• California State Parks Foundation advocacy organization: http://www.calparks.org/
• Send a letter to legislators and Governor Schwarzenegger:
  http://ga3.org/calparks/home.html
  
• Care 2 Petition site to save California State Parks from closure:
  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/save-california-state-parks-from-closure
  
• National Trust for Historical Preservation:
  http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/advocacy-center/action-alerts/california-parks.html
  

BUDGET:

• California's Budget 2009-2010 website: http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/
• http://www.examiner.com/x-4497-SF-Lake-Tahoe-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d2-California-budget-cuts--Budget-Conference-Committe-Hearings

Last Updated: August 13, 2009 Send comments and suggestions about this page to: Documents
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