Fewer state parks may close

09/24/09

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday announced his office will try to find a way to keep as many state parks open as possible, and said an expected announcement of closures will once again be delayed as state officials revisit the governor’s proposal to shut down as many as 220 parks to help balance the state’s ailing budget.

“We’re continuing to work with the parks department to find savings in the budget that would result in the smallest number of parks closures,” said Jeff Macedo, a spokesman for Schwarzenegger’s office. “The governor has said all along that he wants as few parks closed as possible.”

But Bonnie Hawley, executive director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, disagrees.

“I am skeptical about the governor’s latest move,” she said.