California Lawmakers, State Parks and Partners Give 69 of 70 Threatened Parks a Reprieve
Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 July 2012 03:31
July 3, 2012 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks recently announced that 69 of the 70 parks previously targeted for closure will remain accessible to the public for the near term. The recently signed state budget provides funding to keep open the parks that have not yet reached partnership agreements allowing more time for negotiations and outreach to potential partners.
A partnership agreement was signed today which will keep Saddleback Butte State Park, near Lancaster, open for the foreseeable future. This brings the number to 41 of the 70 parks on the original closure list that have reached agreements to keep those parks open for at least one year. These parks will be operated by non-profit partners, public entities, concession operators, or kept open by California State Parks with donations and assistance from various sources.
“Getting to this point has required an extraordinary level of hard work and dedication by State Parks employees, the Governor, the Legislature, and local communities,” said Ruth Coleman, director of California State Parks. “Californians can continue enjoying all of the amazing places in our park system.”
The park units with partnership agreements with non-profit organizations, public entities, or private concessionaires will be kept open with the partners assuming responsibility for keeping them accessible to the public. Parks with donor agreements will be staffed by and remain under the operational control of California State Parks. All of the partnership agreement contracts are for a term of one to five years. Many of the parks will have reduced services, reduced visiting hours, and a reduced number of days of operation.
While 41 parks have agreements, the negotiations for 24 other parks are ongoing in hopes of reaching agreements in the near future. These parks will remain open while good faith negotiations continue.
“While we have achieved a high level of success and continue to push for more parks remaining open,” added Coleman. “People need to realize that this is a temporary reprieve and not a permanent fix. If our budget situation does not improve, we will again be facing park closures as these agreements expire.”
In spite of extensive efforts to save all parks, there are presently five parks where there are no active negotiations for partnerships and no interest from donors or concession operators. All of these parks, with the exception of Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, will remain open for the near future. Providence Mountains is closed for major infrastructure repair. State Parks will renew efforts to seek out proposals and opportunities to keep these parks open for the long term.
Though camping reservations are up over last year, more than 40 parks, primarily in Northern California, still have campsites available for the Fourth of July week. Parks with availability include Calaveras Big Trees State Park in the Sierra Nevada, Del Norte State Park in the redwoods on the North Coast, and San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area in the Central Valley. A list of parks with available campsites can befound by using the “Reservations and Fees” icon on the State Parks website at www.parks.ca.gov.
Status of Park Partners and Park Closures
Parks to remain accessible to public
These are parks where agreements --- Operating, Donor or Concession ---will keep the
park accessible to the public.
D-Donor Agreement – Operated by State Parks
OG-Operating Agreement, Gov’t – No day-to-day state services or operations
ONP-Operating Agreement, Non-profit (PRC 5080.42) No day-to-day state services or operations
C-Concession Ag
1. Antelope Valley Indian Museum D – Donation
2. Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area (SRA) OG – City of Colusa to operate
3. Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park ( SP) OG - NPS
4. Henry W. Coe SP D – Donation from CPPF
5. McGrath State Beach (SB) D- Donation/grants
6. Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Res. (SRA) C-Bodie Foundation
7. Samuel P. Taylor SP OG - NPS
8. Tomales Bay SP OG - NPS
9. South Yuba River SHP Other – County agreement
10. Jug Handle SNR . D-Olmsted donation and Foundation matching $$
11. Plumas-Eureka SP D-Plumas-Eureka Foundation
12. Jack London SHP ONP- Non-profit Valley of the Moon Interpretive Association
13. Santa Cruz Mission SHP D-Donor Agreement - Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
14. Bothe-Napa Valley SP OG- Napa Valley Reg. Parks and Open Space District
15. Bale Grist Mill SHP OG-Napa Valley Reg. Parks and Open Space District
16. Benicia Capitol SHP OG – City of Benicia and Benicia State Parks Association
17. Grizzly Creek Redwoods SP OG – Humboldt County, with fund help from Save the Redwoods
18. Sugarloaf Ridge SP OG-Team Sugarloaf
19. Palomar Mountain SP D-Donor Agreement, Friends of Palomar State Park
20. Petaluma Adobe SHP D-Donor Agreement - Sonoma- Petaluma State Historic Park Association
21. Los Encinos SHP D- Los Encinos Task Force with donor/gift support 22. Santa Susana SHP D-Santa Susana Mountain Park Association
23. Weaverville Joss House SHP D- Weaverville Joss House Association
24. Castle Rock SP D-Sempervirens Fund, Portola and Castle Rock Foundations
25. Shasta SHP D-Shasta Historical Society and town of Shasta Interpretive Association
26. Turlock Lake SRA** C – American Land and Leisure
27. Woodson Bridge SRA** C – American Land and Leisure
28. Brannan Island SRA ** C – American Land and Leisure
29. Governor’s Mansion SHP D-Co-op Assoc. and donation
Parks with Partnership Agreements Possible
These are the parks where partnership negotiations are in progress and agreements
may still be possible. These parks will stay open if good-faith negotiations between a park
partner and State Parks continue. If a park is closed and an agreement becomes possible, the
park could be reopened.
1. Anderson Marsh SP Anderson Marsh Interpretive
Association
2. Bidwell Mansion SHP Save the Mansion effort
3. Point Cabrillo Light Station SHP Concession Agreement
4. Railtown 1897 SHP D-Co-op and Tuolumne Co.
5. Hendy Woods SP D-New non-profit group/SRL
6. Fort Tejon SHP D-Fort Tejon Historical Assoc.
7. Leland Stanford Mansion SHP Interagency funding agreement
with Legislature
8. Morro Strand SB ONP-Three non-profits submitting
proposals.
9. Olompali SHP ONP-Non-profit, MSPA
10. Standish-Hickey SRA D- In negotiations
11. Castle Crags SP D- In negotiations
12. Salton Sea SRA D-Agreement being explored.
13. Benbow Lake SRA C-Bid for Concession
14. China Camp SP ONP-MSPA
15. Candlestick Point SRA Calif. State Parks Foundation
exploring options
16. Westport Union Landing SP D-Being explored
17. Garrapata SP Local agreement
18. Greenwood SB Donor agreement
Parks with no partnership, donor or concession agreements
These are parks with no partnership, donor or concession agreement. These parks, with the exception of Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, will remain open for the near term while efforts continue to find a partnership, donor or concession to continue operation.
1. Benicia SRA
2. California Mining and Mineral Museum
3. Gray Whale Cove SB
4. Providence Mountains SRA (closed for infrastructure repair)
5. Zmudowski SB
Park Disposition Totals as of this date
Parks to remain accessible 69
Parks with signed agreements 41
Parks still in negotiations 24
Parks with no active negotiations 5
Total parks on original list 70
Parks with no partnership, donor or concession agreements
These are parks with no partnership, donor or concession agreement. These parks, with the exception of Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, will remain open for the near term while efforts continue to find a partnership, donor or concession to continue operation.
1. Benicia SRA
2. California Mining and Mineral Museum
3. Gray Whale Cove SB
4. Providence Mountains SRA (closed for infrastructure repair)
5. Zmudowski SB Park
Disposition Totals as of this date
Parks to remain accessible 69
Parks with signed agreements 41
Parks still in negotiations 24
Parks with no active negotiations 5
Total parks on original list 70
