I'd Buy That for $10 - Access To California State Parks

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Traci Sheehan
Executive Director
Planning and Conservation League

High gas prices got you down? Looking for a nearby place where you can play, relax and enjoy the great outdoors on your "staycation" this year? With the temperatures heating up, Californians are heading to some of our 278 state parks for those much-needed getaways.

Under the State Park Access Pass proposal by Assembly Member John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), visiting state parks for day-use could be FREE!

Announced in early June, Laird's proposal would create a sustainable, permanent funding stream for our much-loved state parks. In contrast to the Governor's proposal earlier this year to close 48 state parks, Laird's proposal asks Californians to chip in a little - $10 a year - in order to get a lot. How much is a lot? For one, Californians would receive free day-use access to California's state parks. That means no more paying $6 or $8 (or $10 for visitors to southern California state beaches) to park in state parks. And at the same time, it means creating a funding source that will finally address the woefully inadequate ongoing maintenance and operations of our state parks and the $1.2 billion deferred maintenance backlog.

The State Park Access Pass is the very definition of a win-win proposal. However, like many other great budget ideas, it's being caught up by the stalled negotiations on the overall state budget.

California state parks have not only been a reservoir of history and culture, but also a safe haven that protect unique natural resources. Unfortunately, lack of proper funding is hampering the state park system from retaining these resources and its ability to flourish into the future.

Earlier this year, not only were 48 state parks were in danger of closing and lifeguards from 16 state beaches faced elimination. We must fight to keep our state parks open and thriving.

This proposal will be debated over the next weeks and we need your calls to urge support for its passage as it advances in the budget process. The already-overdue state budget is still being negotiated by legislative leaders, who have signaled that budget votes may be scheduled soon. Please help us show the strong, statewide support and urgency for including the proposal in this year's budget.