FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2021

Governor Newsom’s revised budget includes important new investments in access to parks, wildfire recovery and reducing the state parks system’s $1 billion deferred maintenance backlog 

The California State Parks Foundation welcomed news of additional investment in important priorities for the California State Park system on Friday, announced as part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s May revision to the 2021-22 California state budget.  

“We were happy to see increased investments in Outdoor Equity grants and coastal access programming, and also significantly more money allocated to restoration projects in 23 state parks damaged by wildfires in 2020,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of the California State Parks Foundation.  

“I am also very excited to see the Governor and the First Partner champion several innovative pilot programs to expand access to state parks for kids and low-income Californians, including a ‘California State Park Adventure’ program for 4th graders and partnerships with the California State Library and California Department of Social Services.” Norton said. “As we’ve seen clearly during the pandemic, access to parks is essential to supporting mental and physical health, and expanding access for California’s youth supports their health today, and encourages stewardship tomorrow.” 

Norton also noted that Governor Newsom’s revised budget proposal adds significantly to funds to reduce the state park system’s deferred maintenance backlog, including restoring funding for lighthouse restoration at Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park. Other notable sites slated for deferred maintenance funding include Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, Crystal Cove State Park and Border Field State Park.