What You Can Do
- Write to your California state legislator in support of the State Park Access Pass Program and funding for State Parks
- Visit a California State Park during Save Our State Parks Weekend June 21-22.
- Tell a friend in California about the threats to their state parks and urge them to take action.
11 Most Endangered
California's State Parks
Year Listed: 2008
Location: Statewide , California
Current Status: Endangered
Threat: Deterioration, Neglect, Poor Public Policy
Latest News
June 19, 2009:
This week the California Budget Conference Committee voted to eliminate $70 million in General Fund support for state parks, placing more than 200 park units at risk for closure.
In a separate action, the Budget Conference Committee also voted to implement the State Park Access Pass, a measure that would create a dedicated funding source to keep California's state parks open. The State Park Access Pass would institute a $15 surcharge on annual vehicle license fees for non-commercial vehicles in order to provide Californians with free day-use access to state parks and generate much-needed revenues for the system.
Without the State Park Access Pass revenue, the elimination of General Fund support will have a devastating impact on California state parks and the unique heritage they protect.
California's State Parks
Sutter's Fort State Park in Sacramento, California. Photo by Robert English.
California's State Parks
La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, northwest of Santa Barbara. Photo by Frank Balthis.
California's State Parks
Sutter's Fort State Park in Sacramento, California. Photo by Robert English.
Significance
California's state park system, the largest state park system in the U.S., encompasses a vast array of historic and cultural resources that chronicle the state's rich and storied heritage. The system includes 278 parks, including 51 designated State Historic Parks, covers 1.5 million acres and protects 295 miles of ocean front. Among its many gems are the 1820's era Franciscan La Purisima Mission complex near Lompoc, completely restored during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC); the 1853 Benicia Capitol, the only state capitol building predating today's capitol in Sacramento still standing; and, the historic mission plaza at San Juan Bautista, a rural community recently named a Dozen Distinctive Destination in 2008.
Updates
May 2009: As part of a plan to curb California's growing budget deficit, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a proposal to eliminate $70 million in state funding from the California State Parks budget in 2009 and to cut the entire $143 million budget in 2010. As a result, 80% of California's 279 state parks, historic sites, beaches, and recreation areas would close after Labor Day, 2009. If realized, the Governor's proposal would have a devastating effect on the system's historic and cultural treasures, leaving vulnerable Native American sacred and historic sites unprotected and barring public access to important resources like the newly renovated and reopened Angel Island Immigration Station. The proposed budget cuts, which equal just over one tenth of one percent of the state's budget and just under 1% of the budget deficit, would also cause significant harm to local economies. California's state parks attract more than 75 million visitor days every year making them a critical piece of the state's travel and tourism industry. The National Trust for Historic Preservation and the California State Parks Foundation are working to prevent the budget cuts and protect California's state park resources.
March 23, 2009: California State Parks Advocacy Day was a success. Read more about it on the PreservationNation blog.
2008: The California State Park system has suffered greatly from years of chronic underfunding and deferred maintenance. The magnitude of the problem became even more acute in 2008 when Governor Schwarzenegger, prompted by the state budget crisis, required 10 percent across-the-board budget reductions that would have led to closure of 48 state parks and reduce lifeguard staffing at 16 state beaches. The severity of the proposed budget cuts galvanized tens of thousands of Californians to take action. The California State Parks Foundation, in partnership with organizations, businesses, local governments and individuals throughout the state, led the Save Our State Parks (SOS) Campaign, mobilizing supporters to press the Legislature to reject the budget proposals. Although the governor reinstated the bulk of the park system funding in a revised budget, the underlying problem remains and irreplaceable historic and cultural resources are still at risk. The budget for the Department of Parks and Recreation is woefully inadequate to support day-to-day parks operations, much less to address the $1.2 billion deferred maintenance bill that has accumulated through years of chronic underinvestment.
The ongoing California State budget crisis continues to threaten State Parks. A "work stoppage" order/bond freeze, declared on December 17, 2008, has impacted state parks across California and hampers the state's ability to keep the state park system open, accessible and available to all Californians.
We urge the California Legislature to support solutions to restart bond-funded projects in California State Parks, in order to keep important projects moving and to keep parks open for the busy summer season. Now, more than ever, Californians need their state parks. Specifically, we urge support for Senate Bill 553 by Senator Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) and Assembly Bill 1364 by Assembly member Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa):
Share your memories of this endangered place
Submitted by Anonymous at: June 22, 2009
I've live in Ca for the past 12 years and the State Parks are one among many things about California I really treasure and always been a delight to show it off to my visiting families and friends from out of state or many of my guest from out of the country. With the budget cuts, we will expect to see more influx of homeless people using the parks if they close and no longer managed/supervised.
Submitted by LovestoHike at: June 3, 2009
I grew up visiting the California state parks and enjoying every moment. Its the highlight for so many families. Share your inputs at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/save-california-state-parks-from-closure
Submitted by THe Golden State at: May 12, 2009
This is the nickname for California. How come no one knew that California had gold? Do they still have gold in California? Is it still famouse for the gold?