Proposed 200 State parks Closing....

[pegleglooker]

hey gang,
I ran across this today and I thought you might have a comment or two.... Hey with no one there it should be easier to detect

PLL

A new plan aimed at cutting California's budget could close 220 state parks. Among the most notable on the list are Will Rogers Ranch in Southern California, the Governor's Mansion in Sacramento...and Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay. In fact, all of the California State Parks in the Sierra District would be closed.

Many families are facing shrinking budgets, and looking for less expensive ways to entertain the family. Parks officials say that’s one reason reservations are up this year. But visitors wouldn't be the only ones effected by the closure of the parks. According to a study in 2002, state parks generate roughly $6.5 billion in tourism revenue for nearby businesses. That’s money that could be lost to these communities if the parks close.

But not all small businesses are concerned about the proposal. Trisa Vincent, of Inside Outfitters, says a lack of parking is the biggest problem for Kings Beach merchants. She says if visitors could park in the empty lot for free, instead of paying the current fee of $8.00, more people might be willing to stop and shop. “I think it could help it if the parking was available to us,” she said “but if they could just swing in there and park for less or nothing that could help our business.” Down the street at Tahoe Paddle & Oar, Laura Gray says this is just the latest in a long line of proposed cuts that she expects to be defeated by common sense. “It would be devastating to our business if it did,” Gray said “but I'm not concerned about it at this point.”

Parks officials say they want to be very clear that if the closures are approved, they will not take effect until after the summer. They say anyone who has reservations over the next few months should continue to plan for that vacation.

Here's a link to the list of the proposed closures: http://www.calparks.org/takeaction/closurelist.html

 

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[Tom_in_CA]

Pegleg, I thought the same thing: if there's no rangers at some, and park is closed, what's to stop someone from merely walking in and detecting? I can think of a few parks of historic nature that are state run, in my area. Some of them could be detected (d/t no one seemed to care). But others, of a more historic nature, with rangers living right-on-site, were indeed monitored. But if they go to an abandoned status, then I guess the scrutiny changes

 

[Got_4by4]

They won't be 'abandoned' completely. The state will still own them but ongoing costs for maintenance and support will be cut to minimum levels. Likewise, where there will not be 24/7 occupancy there should also be some kind of periodic security come by to prevent theft or vandalism.

 

[Monty]

If the parks close down and you go detecting, look out for the pot growers! Seriously, the backwoods of nearly all state parks nation wide are plagued by pot growers. National parks are even worse! Sometimes they booby trap their crops, so if you see that stuff growing, don't be tempted to sample it, just back away slowly and report it to officials. Monty
P.S. the parks are so neglected around here already I don't see how it could get worse. Guess I should go to rant? Monty

 

[stefen]

This whole thing will probably go away...its Schwartzenegger's way of trying to scare people into giving in to more taxes...

You can tell that he is lying...his lips are moving

 

[kuger]

I was at Bodie last weekend and asked the head honcho about that very thing(will somebody be on primises)and he assured me that "YES",several people would be and motion sensors also would be used.Basically security would be stepped up.

 

[kuger]

If the parks close down and you go detecting, look out for the pot growers! Seriously, the backwoods of nearly all state parks nation wide are plagued by pot growers. National parks are even worse! Sometimes they booby trap their crops, so if you see that stuff growing, don't be tempted to sample it, just back away slowly and report it to officials. Monty
P.S. the parks are so neglected around here already I don't see how it could get worse. Guess I should go to rant? Monty

Hell there is more weed growing around here anymore than wild flowers....why turn it in the cops actually come in and warn the inhabitants before they come!They bust all kinds and VERY rarely make as much as one arrest!

 

[Goldwasher]

you guys need to get out more. first off the parks wich are all mostly "historic " locals' monuments buildings not really parks with trees and grass and backwoods areas arent going to close they will be taken over by entities in the private sector as far as the management and day to day ops go whatever that entails from recieving parking fees selling food or cheap americans souvineers made in china.so the govs gonna keep the land charge a lease and take themselves out of the expensive beauracracy whenever they can, they only try to look stupid you guys why pay a staff when you can collect rent and let someone else run the park. where has it ever said the land was forsale foreclosed or changing hands. thats how theyre gonna save or most likely make money. and you are still gonna have staffed historic parks and are not gonna gain any new detecting spots some one elses friend family or backscratcher is gonna be taking your $8.00 for parking. and someone please draw me a map to the pot garden in sutters fort arnie and i are gonna head over befre we go fish for salmon on his private solid gold yacht!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

I really don't know what the California governor will actually do, but yesterday, in a public forum of some sort on tv, he said there is no way he would consider raising taxes (shades of "read my lips, no new taxes), but, I wonder how much would be saved by closing the parks - and even more - if they close the parks - will they stop EVERYONE from even entering? (legally, I mean)

B

 

[johnnycat]

I was at Bodie last weekend and asked the head honcho about that very thing(will somebody be on primises)and he assured me that "YES",several people would be and motion sensors also would be used.Basically security would be stepped up.

Right. They don't the money to do what they are now doing and all of a sudden they're going to have money to step up security!!!!

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

I was checking out a bunch of the parks on the list - some of them don't have regular security, everyday, and some of them only have regular security at the campgrounds etc., and not on the other parts of the system (except an occasional drive around).

That COULD mean criminal activity, but it could also mean some closures, wouldn't you think?

Has anyone read about closures of any state parks if they don't have security?

And who is going to collect fees in some of these parks? I know some places (none in Ca), where the campgrounds have a locked box where you deposit your camping fee - kind of on the honor system. I don't see that happening in California (could be wrong, though).

If they stop the fees, they will be losing some of the money they are supposed to be saving, wouldn't they?

I really don't want to see the state parks closed off and locked up - I go to California every year.

B

 

[johnnycat]

I think the way things are now in California the closing of state parks is the least of their worries. Too bad, I really enjoyed the 30 years I lived there. Only moved because of medical reasons.

 

[pegleglooker]

hey gang,
This is a email I rec'd from a very good friend of mine who works in the Anza Borrego State Park...

PLL


If Anza-Borrego Desert State Park closed, which is one of the parks on
the chopping block, this little tourist town of Borrego Springs (where
we're based) would never survive. Restaurants, hotels, and other
businesses
would surely close, and many residents would become unemployed and
unable to afford their mortgages. Think of this happening in other
park towns across California.

Withholding $70 million from the park system now and then an
additional $143 million next year by keeping the parks closed would be
a classic example of saving a penny only to lose a dollar. If you look
at the statistic below, state parks generate tourist revenue that pays
back $2.35 to the state for every $1.00 it receives. Closing 80% of
state parks would crush certain local economies, thereby hurting
California's overall economy.

In facing a $24.3 billion deficit, "saving" money by closing the vast
majority of state parks can't be worth the loss to millions of
Californians of their forests, beaches, rivers, mountains, and
deserts. In these tough times, we all have to make cuts, but
completely disabling the California state park system is unfair,
illogical, and fiscally unsound. The parks would be vulnerable to
wildfires, vandalism and other criminal activity, and damage and
destruction of natural resources.

Below, I've cut and pasted information from the California state
parks' website, along with a link to an online petition opposing this
proposal. I know this is a case of the personal being political, but I
also know that many of you enjoy your state parks and wouldn't want to
lose access to them. Thanks for reading. -Joe

-----------------------

From the state parks' website:

Talking Points

Beginning July 1st, the Governor will cut the parks core funding in
half and then eliminate all core funding in twelve months. Without
this money, there will be no choice but to close the majority of our
park system.
Even if you are not planning to visit a park soon, the governor's
short-sighted proposal will impact you and every California resident.
It is the very definition of "penny-wise, pound foolish". Consider the
facts:

FACT: The General Fund budget that state parks receive accounts for
less than 1/10 of one percent of the entire state budget.

FACT: Last year alone, there were over 80 million visitors to state
parks – and all indications are that this year was going to be even
higher.

FACT: For every dollar that funds the parks, $2.35 is returned to
the state's General Fund through economic activities in the
communities surrounding the parks.

That means eliminating all funding for state parks could actually
result in the state losing over $350 million dollars in revenue.

For the financial well-being of our state, we must oppose this reckless
plan.

Closing parks will have a ripple effect that will cause further
economic turmoil in towns across the state already reeling from bad
economic decisions made in Sacramento. Closing state parks not only
loses potential revenue within the park, but will cause losses to the
local economies in communities that surround the state parks as well.

And during these horrible economic times when more and more residents
are relying upon our state parks as low-cost alternatives to expensive
vacation plans, this is the worst time to enact such a short-sighted
plan.

http://ga3.org/campaign/budget_may09

 

[ghostdog]

The state will proably close the least profitable of the parks across California , I really can"t see Yosemite being shut down,layoffs will most likely will happen to Park Rangers and Fish and Game employees.. Park camping fees will also be raised. My take is security will be lax,if and when the shutdowns take place.The state just dont have the funds for area 51 type enforcement. Lazy low paid outside contract security guards just want their paychecks,not issues.

 

[Mr. Slate]

The parks won't close, but they will jack up fees and/or taxes. We will have to pay the $15 increase in DMV fees and they will institute a pay for play rule. Prices to enter or stay in a state park will increase enormously. This way, even if you don't go to a park you will pay, and if you don't own a car but stay in a park you will pay. The legislature will pocket the vehicle fees, parks will make money and the days of a cheap vacation will be over.

 

[patches63]

i have been reading so much the last few days that i cant remember where i saw this.but what i read was, in sacramento, they are discussing adding a surcharge to all vehicle registrations (DMV FEES) in order to keep the parks open.franchising does have precedent.most of the campgrounds at trinity lake are ran by hodges management.more than one way to mine on public land.

 

[stefen]

i have been reading so much the last few days that i cant remember where i saw this.but what i read was, in sacramento, they are discussing adding a surcharge to all vehicle registrations (DMV FEES) in order to keep the parks open.franchising does have precedent.most of the campgrounds at trinity lake are ran by hodges management.more than one way to mine on public land.

Gov Schwartzenegger's idea is to threaten the people with closing all State Parks or raise the Vehicle Tax (another $14) hoping that people will relent and let him up the car fees...

Instead of working to reduce spending...the state government's idea to balance a budget is to up the tax base...

The vote of the people a few weeks ago let the govenor and legislature know that they won't stand for any additional taxes...yet their ears are full of wax...

The sole reason that the state is out of money is due to the crisis brought about by the illegal immigrants...over-use of emergency rooms...ESL programs...educational expenses, and list goes on...solve this problem and the economy will straighten out...

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

Upping the vehicle registration fees to keep the parks open is almost funny (not funny ha-ha, but funny, geesh), considering the fact that the parks have hundreds/thousands of acres that you cannot drive into on on to.

B