Governor proposes closing most state parks

By Kevin Yamamura - kyamamura@sacbee.com

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SACRAMENTO — Gov. Schwarzenegger's plan to eliminate funding for the state parks system would close 220 locations, including Caswell Memorial in Ripon and Railtown 1897 in Jamestown, according to a list released by the administration.

Only parks that are self-sufficient or receive local government financial support would remain open, 59 in all.

The governor made the proposal this week to save $70 million in 2009-10 and help close a $24.3 billion budget deficit.

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Schwarzenegger proposed closing 48 parks last year, but dropped the plan in negotiations with the Legislature. Some critics believe the amount of savings is so small that the governor may be using high-visibility park closures to increase public pressure on lawmakers to make other cuts more quickly.

Other nearby parks targeted for closure include Columbia State Historic Park, George J. Hatfield State Recreational Area near Newman, and Henry W. Coe State Park.

By and large, the parks that would remain open are state beaches and parks popular among users of motorized vehicles such as boats, 4x4s and ATVs. Many beaches attract enough visitors to operate from parking, admissions and concessions fees, while the other parks receive gas taxes.

But parks best suited for campers and hikers wouldn't fare so well, as fees alone are not enough to sustain them. The governor's plan would close noted sites such as Calaveras Big Trees, Anza-Borrego Desert and Mount Diablo.

Under the closures, parking lots, visitor centers and all facilities would be shut down.

State Parks and Recreation spokesman Roy Stearns said hikers should be able to visit the sites as long as they use them "with respect" and accept that drinking fountains and bathrooms will be closed, park rangers will be absent and trash won't be picked up.

"If people carry trash in, we'd urge them to pack it out," Stearns said.