KSBW - State Parks Go On Calif. Chopping Block 200 California State Parks Could Be Closed

05/29/09

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- A new proposal by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger could close nearly every California state park, including 19 in Santa Cruz County.

Some Central Coast gems on the chopping block include the oldest parks in the state system -- Big Basin Redwoods State Park -- to one of the most popular coastal camping locations -- Seacliff State Beach.

"They would all basically be closed because they don't produce enough revenue to be self sufficient," said state park ranger Karl Tallman.

The governor's proposal comes as the state looks to find ways to close a $21 billion deficit.

But a conservation group estimates the state gets a $2.35 return for every dollar it spends on parks.

"This is less than one-tenth of one percent of the state budget that goes to state parks," said Bonny Hawley, executive director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. "And there's a tremendous multiplier in the community for every dollar spent on state parks."