California State Parks Foundation Urges Statewide Action in Light of Looming Park Closures

Assembly Bill 42 could bring much-needed help to state parks

SACRAMENTO, Calif. On the heels of the state’s announcement last week to close 25 percent of the California state parks system, the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) is moving forward with sponsorship of Assembly Bill 42 (Huffman) in order to protect those vulnerable parks, as well as all state parks. Urgency to pass the bill has increased in light of the release of a list of 70 state parks the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) intends to close in order to meet the $22 million General Fund budget cuts required by Gov. Brown and the Legislature. CSPF, the 42-year-old non-profit and park advocacy group, strongly opposes the closures. 

“We are not going to stand by as our state parks system is closed and dismantled,” said Elizabeth Goldstein, president of CSPF. “California’s state park system belongs to the people of California and its existence is critical to the state’s environmental, economic, and civic fabric.  Poor choices made now will forever change the state parks system. When state parks are closed, their natural and cultural resources may suffer such significant harm that it may be impossible to recover these gems later, either because of great cost to correct the deterioration or because the harm is irreparable. Added to that will be a loss of economic opportunities in communities surrounding these parks.”

 The parks on the closure list put at risk some of the most unique and enduring pieces of California and pre-California history.  Highlights of the resources at risk on the closure list include:

• Almost 45 percent of entire statewide system of State Historic Parks are proposed for closure
• 11 parks on the closure list provide coastal access 
• 9 parks on the closure list showcase Native American history and other archeological assets
• 8 parks on the closure list have natural ecosystems that include unique California redwoods
• The North Coast Counties (Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Humboldt and Del Norte) have 22 parks on the closure list, which is 31 percent of the closures
• The second largest state park in the California, Henry Coe, is on the closure list.

“While the state may be willing to turn its back on a 100-year commitment to California’s state parks, the California State Parks Foundation stands firm for parks,” said Goldstein. “Existing law already allows for local governments and for-profit businesses to help support the operations of state parks; it’s time that nonprofits are allowed to do the same.” 

 CSPF is sponsoring AB 42 with Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-Marin) to allow nonprofit organizations to help take a direct role in helping prevent park closures. The bill allows DPR to enter into operating agreements for the improvement, restoration, care, maintenance, administration, or operation of a unit or units of the state park system with qualified nonprofit organizations.  

 The bill provides another tool to maintain the legacy of our state park system and keep our parks open for all Californians. Passage of AB 42 will allow for creative solutions to the challenges facing state parks.

 “With park closures now looming, AB 42 is even more urgent,” said Goldstein. “Every minute counts as we work to find solutions for the state parks crisis.”

 AB 42 passed out of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee on March 22 with scores of park advocates present in the audience to support the bill on CSPF's Ninth Annual Park Advocacy Day. The bill also passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 11, and now will be taken up on the Assembly Floor on Thursday.     

 “Shutting down 25 percent of the state parks system is a paradigm shift for California’s state parks,” said Goldstein. “But all hope is not lost. As we continue to fight the planned park closures, we have been working to proactively provide the state with tools needed to keep this park system alive. AB 42 is a real solution to what is clearly a continuing crisis for our state parks. We know closing parks was a difficult decision, but let’s make the right decisions going forward and allow new partners to help state parks.”

 More information about AB 42 and the park closure list can be found at calparks.org.

About CSPF 

With our 120,000 members, the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) is the only statewide independent nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing and advocating for California’s magnificent state parks. CSPF is committed to improving the quality of life for all Californians by expanding access to the natural beauty, rich culture and history, and recreational and educational opportunities offered by California’s 278 state parks—the largest state park system in the United States. For more information about California’s state parks, visit calparks.org.

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 FACT SHEET 

Assembly Bill 42 (Huffman)
Allowing Nonprofit Operating Agreements for California's State Parks

Assembly Bill (AB) 42 allows the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to explore beneficial partnerships with nonprofit organizations to help operate park units.  Specifically, AB 42 provides the opportunity for DPR and nonprofit organizations to pursue an operating agreement or agreements for state parks. 

Assembly Bill 42 Provides a Tool to Help Keep State Parks Open  

Since 2008, the state park system has been threatened with park closures in every budget year. Wholesale closure of the system has been averted, but more than half of the 278 units of the state park system have seen some combination of partial, seasonal or intermittent closures over the last two years. 

 Many nonprofit organizations are already close partners with the state in providing visitor services, resource protection, educational and interpretive programs, land management expertise and/or financial assistance.  Although it is unlikely that a nonprofit partner will step forward for every one of the 70 parks on the closure list announced on May 13, in some cases nonprofits may have capacity and interest to take on such operational roles.  

Assembly Bill 42 is Modeled on Existing Law

AB 42 is closely modeled on existing Public Resources Code 5080.36, which allows DPR to enter into an operating agreement with a qualified nonprofit for the operation of one specific state park. AB 42 provides broader authority to DPR to enter into operating agreements for multiple state parks, without the requirement that each individual operating agreement be subject to specific legislative approval.  AB 42 contains language identical to PRC 5080.36, which includes provisions that ensure transparency and public accountability, including an annual report that includes a full accounting and summary of the prior year’s operations, an annual public meeting requirement, and the requirement that all revenues received from the park remain dedicated to park purposes. 

Now, More Than Ever, State Parks Need Good Partners

Having a state park in an operating agreement with a nonprofit organization will enable DPR to redirect precious public resources to parks that will remain directly managed by DPR.  The benefit of allowing agreements with nonprofits is that all revenues generated in that park will stay in the park and be directed toward the needs of that state park.  A nonprofit may also have the ability to attract additional philanthropic support, donations, or in-kind support that will augment fee-based revenue generated in the park. 

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