One of the key arguments that tax-hikers have used to promote Gov. Jerry Brown's tax-hike initiative in November is that because of budget cuts, many state parks will close. Californians, myself include, love the state's natural beauty and its magnificent public parks. But news coverage rarely mentions the obvious: almost none of the 70-plus parks targeted for shut down will actually be shut down. Private foundations and even some local governments are picking up the slack. The state is having training seminars for private groups that want to run these parks. This is a good news story, an example of how privatization and private philanthropy can help stretch tax dollars. Given the bureaucratic mismanagement that plagues the government-run parks system, this approach might even improve park services.
Here is a portion of a press release from a parks foundation:
With park closures looming, three leading bay area conservation organizations - Peninsula Open Space Trust, Portola and Castle Rock Foundation and Save the Redwoods League - have joined forces to help keep Portola Redwoods State Park open. This temporary reprieve will allow the park to remain open for the next 12 months while the nonprofits will work with California State Parks to develop a long-term solution and plan that would set Portola Redwoods on a path towards sustainability and excellence. The ultimate goal of the partnership is to protect some of the tallest, most majestic redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains for all park enthusiasts to experience and enjoy.
With park closures looming, three leading bay area conservation organizations - Peninsula Open Space Trust, Portola and Castle Rock Foundation and Save the Redwoods League - have joined forces to help keep Portola Redwoods State Park open. This temporary reprieve will allow the park to remain open for the next 12 months while the nonprofits will work with California State Parks to develop a long-term solution and plan that would set Portola Redwoods on a path towards sustainability and excellence. The ultimate goal of the partnership is to protect some of the tallest, most majestic redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains for all park enthusiasts to experience and enjoy.
"This partnership agreement reflects a lot of hard work and creativity on the part of state park staff and our nonprofit partners," said Ruth Coleman, Director of California State Parks. "On behalf of California State Parks, I want to thank our partners for stepping up and filling the budget gaps."
Join the conversation