California State Parks Services Reduction

Places to Go and Times to Avoid During Temporary Closures

Oct 30, 2009

The California state funding crisis will reduce winter activities in some California park facilities, but travelers can still enjoy the parks during peak winter periods.

During the 2009-2010 season, many travelers may be disappointed to find that their favorite California state parks will only be accessible during peak winter and spring periods. More than 40 parks will be reducing winter camping access and weekday hours as Sacramento attempts to address its state funding crisis.

On September 25, 2009 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a $12.1 million freeze on California State Parks (CSP) maintenance spending and a $2.1 reduction in services in order to help the state meet a $26.3 billion statewide deficit.

State Funding Crisis and Winter Activities

Park enthusiasts will still have plenty of places to go on weekends however, when closures and reduced services generally won’t be in effect.

The funding cuts mean that parks like Morro Bay State Park on San Luis Obispo’s sweeping coastline, and Humboldt Redwood State Park in northern California, will have their hours and camping access reduced. But the most popular state parks, like Old Town San Diego, will see only a partial reduction of maintenance and services throughout the week.

“Our objective (is) to make cuts where it will keep interruption to public access to a minimum,” said CPS Deputy Director of Communications Roy Stearns, who acknowledged that the cuts are being enforced during the off season. “We are in a period in which tourism has reached its lowest point.”

Travel Tips for Off Season Periods

Sterns said that there were steps that visitors could take to make their winter and spring vacations more enjoyable, and that would assist CPS during the budget reduction.

Stearns said that the CPS pays "millions of dollars per year" to have garbage bins emptied. “If (visitors) go camping, if they could take their garbage with them when they leave and dispose of it at home,” it will reduce the essential maintenance costs and keep refuse from piling up in state parks.

Some park lands can’t be closed from public access, either because of intersecting roads or geography.

“It is impossible to put a gate across the desert,” Stearns said, referring to the 600,000-acre Anza Borrego Desert State Park. “One thing people should know is there may be fewer rangers to rescue them if a radiator hose busts, or they break down.” Therefore travelers are encouraged to plan their trips carefully and carry the appropriate supplies. Don’t assume that cell phones will work in the forest or the desert. Carry water and the standard emergency supplies. Keep in mind that winter travel means possible inclement weather.

“We appreciate the fact that the public is an extra pair of eyes and ears,” Stearns said, acknowledging that CPS rangers may not be as visible as last year and that the public can help keep an eye out for suspicious activity. ”If someone sees something, make a phone call and we’ll send a ranger out to investigate.”

Public Access to Beaches

Stearns noted that in those areas where public access can’t be closed off, such as the 30-mile-long Sonoma Coast State Beach, CPS recognizes that there will be people who will want to enjoy the area whether or not rangers are present.

“People who do that and watch over our precious places, aren’t a problem,” said Stearns. “If they just go for a walk and do no harm that is OK with us."

Public Protection of Park Resources

In general, Stearns said that people who enjoy state parks want to help protect park resources.

“If they don’t see the garbage bins, they ask where are they? (Visitors) are all ready in tune with that. We are lucky on the West Coast.”

Stearns added that the public should be reassured that the state’s economic measures are meant to protect California State Parks.

“We are going to get through this. We aren’t going to sell or give away the parks.”

AIC101

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