Normally I wouldn’t write an op-ed piece for my weekly post, but this issue is so important to local travel – and relevant to you, intrepid traveler – that I simply must raise my voice. As you probably read in the Chronicle yesterday, Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed the *closure of 48 state parks throughout California. This is unacceptable.
The governor appears to have a secret agenda. According to the California State Parks Foundation, on Wednesday of this week (1/15/08), Schwarzenegger announced his support of a private toll road through San Onofre State Beach, one of the parks he proposes closing. The effect on the park would be devastating. [Ed update: On Feb 7, the Coastal Commission nixed this plan because of overwhelming public pressure. Keep it coming.]
Since his open support of this has come just one week following his announced proposal to close the parks, I can’t help but wonder what else would happen to our precious lands if nobody is on site to monitor them, other than the occasional ranger driving by. Remember: the Patriot Act was sitting on a shelf waiting to be enacted into law. What already-written legislation is sitting on the shelves of the California State Capitol?
The existing threats to state parks are myriad. If the parks close, they’ll get trashed. Blocking public access and minimizing supervision creates a breeding ground for vandalism. There’s no way to stop determined people from breaking into an open space. Extra and expensive law enforcement will likely be required. Then if the parks ever reopen, there will be huge clean-up costs. It’s far easier to maintain something than it is to clean it up.
You love to travel. You have a voice. Use it: Contact your state-assembly member and senator. All this mess could be fixed be re-instituting the vehicle-licensing fee that Schwarzenegger shortsightedly rescinded in 2003 to win popular approval. If you support re-instituting the fee, tell your representative now.
The land belongs to the people. It’s time for us to stand up and claim what is ours. In the wise words of Joni Mitchell, you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. Let’s not find out.
Ed note: Thanks to local-hiking aficionado Brad Day for digging up this great map from the budget office. –JV
January 19th, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Yep the Governor is way out of line on this one. Trestles needs to be kept toll road free and the parks should stay open. California parks are for everyone locals and tourist. We do not want people coming to California only to find a closed sign. Schwarzenegger needs to find something other than the parks to terminate.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Thanks for writing this man. I was just on Google researching California state park maps, to find the distance from Castle Rock Park to Big Basin since I had started hiking the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail a couple weeks ago, when I came across your article. Theodore Roosevelt would role over in his grave if he knew of this legislation Arnold is proposing! I’ve always loved the outdoors and the fact that California has so many open air resources for its inhabitants. I will add my voice to the protesting masses.
February 20th, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Awesome. Thanks, Nate. The more of us who chime in, the better the chances of stopping the governor’s short-sighted plan. See you on the trail!
—John
May 31st, 2009 at 6:08 PM
He is at it again! Much worse than last year. Arnold is wrong on his proposal to close over 200 state parks because state parks bring in revenue! They are money makers for the state in the form of fees and taxes surrounding businesses pay.
Could you create a new email writing action to stop this crazy idea?
June 1st, 2009 at 11:07 PM
here is a web site I found on line that can help us all tell Sacramento collectively what we think of this California state park closure.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/save-california-state-parks-from-closure