This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Although no closure list has been handed out, this is the last weekend before many State Parks are expected to close. Faced with nearly $39 million cuts to its budget, State Park officials wanted to hold off until the last minute, hoping cities, nonprofits and corporations would step up and partner to save state parks. For every park saved by one entity could mean the another park saved with the department's dwindling budget.
To bring awareness, a few events are scheduled this weekend, including FYFest tomorrow at Los Angeles State Historic Park in Chinatown.
While all these solutions and fundraisers are helpful for now, Elizabeth Goldstein, Executive Directof for the California State Parks Foundation, is correct when she says "we must find a long term permanent solution to this state parks funding crisis," in the above video. The threat to parks seems like an annual event these days. "We are tired of the ride, we are tired of being the victms of this crazy public polcy trade off," she said.
An annual $15 DMV fee would have been more than enough to cover state parks funding every single year. However, Schwarzenegger and Republicans vowed to veto any increases in taxes and fees earlier this summer.
