Calif. Parks Supporters Release Web Video, Urge Schwarzenegger to Approve $15 Annual Parks Fee

06/30/09

SANTA CRUZ, CA—With hours left before the State of California goes without a state budget and begins issuing IOUs, parks supporters today released a Web video in which frustrated and concerned Californians urge Governor Schwarzenegger to keep parks open and approve the $15 annual parks fee that has been passed in the legislature. The annual fee, known as the State Parks Access Pass, would eliminate the need to implement the governor’s plan to close 220 state parks, beaches and historic sites.

LINK: http://www.youtube.com/user/ThatsMyPark1

The video, shot in one day at multiple locations, includes “person-on-the-street” quotes from visitors from across California:

On closing the parks…

“I am a Republican and lots of my friends are Democrats, and we’re both saying the same thing: come together, think of the people, think of the welfare of our state. And some common sense would be refreshing.”

“The idea of closing parks is shocking. I think it’s ridiculous.”

“I hope they’d take into consideration the economic impact the parks have on the community.”

On the $15 annual fee, which in addition to funding the parks, would provide free day-use access to for all non-commercial vehicles registered in California…

“Absolutely. Especially if it would give me access to all the parks for a one-time (annual) fee. That’s really nominal and totally worth it.”

“Fifteen dollars? That’s what, the price of a couple trips to McDonald’s?

“I would be glad to pay double that amount just to keeps these parks open.”

PARK CLOSURE FACTOIDS

• Annual number of visitor to CA State Parks: more than 80 million
• Amount to be "saved" by closing 220 State Parks: $70 million
• Economic activities estimated to be generated annually by State Parks: $4.2 billion

Web video produced by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, an organization that has worked for more than 30 years to preserve precious state park lands and provide essential funds to support park programs that inspire and build connections between people and nature. For more information about Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, visit www.ThatsMyPark.org. Also available on Facebook and Twitter.