Thread: Calif. names 220 parks in danger of closing

Calif. names 220 parks in danger of closing

By SAMANTHA YOUNG, The Associated Press
6:52 p.m. May 28, 2009

SACRAMENTO — Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay, Will Rogers' Southern California ranch and the Governor's Mansion in Sacramento are among 220 state parks Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing to shutter at the end of the summer, parks officials said Thursday.

"This is a worst-case scenario," said Roy Sterns, a spokesman at the state parks department. "If we can do less than this, we will try. But under the present proposal, this is it."

Schwarzenegger has recommended eliminating $70 million in parks spending through June 30, 2010, as part of his proposal to close a $24.3 billion deficit. Another $143.4 million would be saved in the following fiscal year by keeping the parks closed.

The Legislature last year rejected the governor's proposal to close 48 state parks, but lawmakers from both parties said California's budget deficit is now so dire that it is likely some parks will close this year.

"This is an unprecedented crisis, and things that were previously dead-on-arrival are a lot more viable in a crisis like this," said Jared Huffman, a Democrat from San Rafael who is chairman of the Assembly's parks and wildlife committee. "I think some cuts are coming to the parks, and they'll be cuts I won't like and the public won't like."

The state parks department said that a $70 million cut would leave it with enough money to run just 59 of California's 279 state parks.

The state's famed park system attracts nearly 80 million visitors a year.

William Randolph Hearst's Castle on the Central Coast and a dozen other so-called money makers would remain open under the proposal released Thursday, as would many Southern California beaches that attract millions of visitors year round.

Some of California's most storied parks are among those that could close.

They include Fort Ross State Historic Park, the southernmost Russian settlement in North America, Bodie State Historic Park, one of the best-preserved Old West ghost towns in the Western U.S., Big Basin Redwoods, the oldest state park, and Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which boasts the world's tallest tree.

Schwarzenegger's proposal has angered conservationists and Democrats in the Legislature, who say California's parks are treasured spots that generate tourism dollars for the state and local communities.

"State parks draw tourism to California," State Parks Foundation president Elizabeth Goldstein said. "This proposal makes the budget situation worse."

The foundation estimates the state gets a $2.35 return for every dollar it spends on parks.

California spends roughly $400 million a year running California's 279 state parks and beaches, with roughly a third of the money coming from the state general fund. User fees at campgrounds, beaches and historic sites bring in slightly more than a quarter of the revenue for the entire system. Bond funds, gasoline and highway taxes, federal money and other sources make up the rest.

Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines, R-Clovis, said the state cannot afford to subsidize state parks at a time when lawmakers are being asked to make severe cuts to health care, senior services, education and prisons.

"Parks are just not going to be a priority over public safety and education, as much as we hate to see them close," Villines said.

At least 2,000 park rangers, biologists, lifeguards, interpreters, architects and maintenance workers would be laid off if the proposal is adopted, said Sterns, the parks spokesman.

The layoffs would be in addition to 5,000 state positions the governor has already recommended cutting.

"When you cut that much, you have to let go highly trained teams of biologists that you can't get back in a year or two," Huffman said of the park cuts. "It's a myth to think you can mothball the entire system. These cuts will cripple the park system for a decade or more."

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... dex=107181

At least 2,000 park rangers, biologists, lifeguards, interpreters,

I agree, lay off the interpreters!! Let foreigners do their own interpreting.

We have a State run Park near my town, the City Council and County is working on a plan to run it if the State pulls out, partly with volunteers. I am sure other cities will do the same, and do it better and cheaper than the State does it.

National parks are already under assualt from drug cartels growing pot, so why not poorly staffed state parks. After all, the cartels could save a bunch of money on transportation costs.

What is this about? I thought the whole state was a park? /sarc

Originally Posted by vortex

National parks are already under assualt from drug cartels growing pot, so why not poorly staffed state parks. After all, the cartels could save a bunch of money on transportation costs.

Well heck since CA is talking about legalizing and taxing pot, let's also just charge the cartels a fee for growing in on State land, that will bring in plenty of money to keep the Parks going!!

Who cares about the PARKS anymore? Too many illegals and being an American you are the minority in the PARKS.

Parks are dangerous!

Hire illegals in the parks, and put up signs for Americans to "KEEP OUT!"

They can charge their own illegal buddies and that is their income.

Creative! and new idea for President Obama.

I haven't heard, could be wrong but have Schwarzenegger, Pelosi, Villalaregosa or anyone given up their salaries and made any donations from their millions to help? Any Hollywood celebs kicking in some cash?
Spielberg, the estate of Aaron Spelling, Bradjolie, Madonna, Sarandon, Streisand, I can't begin to name them all. Anyone?

Originally Posted by snakeoil

I haven't heard, could be wrong but have Schwarzenegger, Pelosi, Villalaregosa or anyone given up their salaries and made any donations from their millions to help? Any Hollywood celebs kicking in some cash?
Spielberg, the estate of Aaron Spelling, Bradjolie, Madonna, Sarandon, Streisand, I can't begin to name them all. Anyone?

Schwarzenegger doesn't take a pay check. Hasn't since he got elected.

Well, that's one.

loservillelabor wrote:

What is this about? I thought the whole state was a park? /sarc

It is if you're an illegal alien, no admittance fee required.