Huffman, Park Officials Paint Grim Picture of Closures

The would spell disaster for the economy, wreak havoc on public health and jeopardize one of the greatest assets California has, said panel of local and state environmental leaders speaking at a public hearing held in Santa Rosa Friday.

The hearing, organized by Assembly member Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), was aimed at discussing alternatives to the closures, announced last month and which would cut the state parks’ budget by $22 million.

“Never before have we had to take this kind of action to close the people’s parks, ” Huffman told a crowd of more than 200 people gathered at Spring Lake Regional Park, which is linked to Annadel State Park, one of the parks on the list. "These closures come at a time when many families are struggling financially and when visiting state parks is one of the most affordable activities for folks on a limited income.”

Eleven of the 70 parks are in Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties, and include Petaluma Adobe, Jack London in Glen Ellen, Olompali in Novato and China Camp in San Rafael.

The closures, which could come as soon as this September and would have to be approved by the legislature, would mean a loss of not only fitness and recreational opportunities, but the state’s rich cultural history such as Jack London State Park and the Benicia Capitol, critical to preserving California’s heritage, said Elizabeth Goldstein, president of the California State Parks Foundation.

“Just as most of our elected leaders believe that we cannot afford to keep these 70 parks open, it will be even more expensive to open them later after they’ve been deteriorating two years, five years, or perhaps for a decade,” Goldstein said, adding that 45 percent of historic parks are slated for closure.

Goldstein and others cited concerns about trespassers and the feasibility of keeping parks, many of which have multiple entry points and coastal access, off limits to the public.

Another worry is about the economic impact on surrounding communities, as they lose revenue that could be generated from visitors to state parks. John Severini, president of the California Travel Industry Association, estimated that every visitor to a state park spends about $60 in the nearby town, whether or not they pay to enter the park.

“We have this incredible jewel that other states would kill for,” Severini said. “And what do we do with it? We want to close it.”

One idea for keeping parks open is through new legislation authored by Huffman that would allow the state to enter into operating agreements with nonprofit organizations. If AB 42 passes, it would allow organizations to provide visitor services and improve park facilities individually or in collaboration with others.

Another proposal is switching from parking to entrance fees to avoid the problem of visitors parking outside and then walking into parks, as well as increasing fees. The state parks department could also reevaluate concession contracts with private companies and even establish bed and breakfasts and other similar lodging inside state parks, environmental leaders said.

“I can clearly see a solution to a park where a private sector operator is working hand in glove with a philanthropic organization that helps fund the education, natural resource management and things like that,” said California State Parks Director Ruth Coleman, adding that increasing fees alone would not be enough to close the budget gap.

In the meanwhile, a group of local nonprofits on Friday announced the creation of a new alliance that would promote and coordinate individual, nonprofit and business efforts to keep parks open and functioning at a sustainable level.

Called Parks Alliance for Sonoma County, it would identify resources from government as well as the nonprofit sector and explore potential funding and other agreements. The group includes regional and state parks in the county, Sonoma Land Trust and the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, among others.

"We need to bring it all together," said Caryl Hart, director of the Sonoma County Regional Parks Department and chair of the California State Parks and Recreation Commission. "If state parks close, it will impact regional parks. And I am determined to find a way to stop it."