If State Parks Close, What Happens to Hiking at Temescal Canyon?

Like Runyon Canyon, Temescal is one of the more popular hiking trails immediately accessible to Angelenos. Runyon is a city park so it is not under the threat of closing like 80% of states parks in Gov. Schwarzenegger's budget plan. Temescal, however, runs through two state properties. One is Temescal Canyon Gateway Park, which is under two conservation agencies not threatened with closures.

Whether you realize it or not, both the Temescal Canyon and Temescal Ridge trails go into Topanga State Park, which will be closed to the public if the budget process nixes state parks. In other words, if you're used to hiking that loop (see the map below), you won't be able to. Big ouch.

How can you help? The locally based Environment California, a nonprofit that focuses on clean air, clean water and open space, is urging its members and everyone else to sign their petition not to close Topanga and and the nearby Will Rogers Historic State Park.

Also, this weekend is the California State Parks Foundation's Save Our State Parks campaign. They want you to go to a state park, print out a sign, take a photo and send it to politicians. More info here.