Park Closures Again

State Parks released a list today of 70 parks to be closed beginning in September. Why? Because of a $22 million budget cut going into effect July 1st. Although one-quarter of State Park units will be closed under this new plan, just three parks in Los Angeles County are listed:

1. Pio Pico State Historic Park
2. Los Encinos State Historic Park
3. Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park

These three local parks are part of the department's State Historic Parks program, which will be especially hard hit - more than 40% of its units will be closed.

Additionally, sixteen of our incomparable redwood parks will also be closed. Also shocking - the decision to close Henry W Coe State Park, a spectacular 90,000 acre wilderness park in rural Santa Clara County - and the second largest park in the system.

The department's recent history is one of declining budgets and more parks. Closures are needed under the budget the legislature passed, and the governor signed, in late March. Because legislators cannot prefer parks over other hard-hit programs, there aren't votes even to maintain park funding at today's level. We believe the listed closures will happen. The decision to reduce California's fantastic and beautiful state park system HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN.

The California State Parks Foundation has an email campaign opposing park closures: LINK HERE. Please, do it now!