Press Releases

Policy Forum Brings State Leaders and Youth, Heath & Parks Advocates Together to Discuss Parks as a Public Health Solution and Launch California State Parks Foundation’s New Advocacy Initiative ‘Pathways to Parks’ Sacramento, CA – California State Parks Foundation today held its inaugural Policy Forum bringing together a cross-section of state leaders and advocates to examine the status of children’s health in California and develop solutions to leverage the state’s open spaces as a tool to improve community health, especially for youth in underserved neighborhoods. Today’s forum also marked100

New Law Marks Important First Step in Increasing Access to the Health Benefits of California’s Parks Sacramento, CA – As the 2019 legislative session comes to an end, California State Parks Foundation recognizes the critical progress made to ensure all Californians have access to the health and wellness benefits our state parks provide. Governor Gavin Newsom considered two parks access bills, AB 209 (Limόn) and AB 556 (Carrillo), ultimately signing AB 209 into law. The introduction of both bills is an important first step in a broader effort to prioritize funding to programs that will increase100

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – October 2, 2019 – On October 2, 1969, Director of California State Parks, William Penn Mott, Jr., rallied a core group of friends and park supporters to form California State Parks Foundation. From October 2, 2019 through October 2, 2020, California State Parks Foundation will be celebrating 50 years of dedication to California’s parklands. We’ve enriched the quality of life for Californians by expanding access to the beauty, culture, history, and educational and health opportunities offered by state parks. In 50 years, the organization has built a dedicated community of100

Unique Findings Demonstrate Why Equal Access to Parks Should be a Right for All Californians Sacramento, CA – Research [ https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/project/youthoutdoors/] released today from the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and California State Parks Foundation provides critical data and new information detailing opportunities for California to leverage its state parks as a public health solution. The research also illustrates the need to increase access to parks and green space for underserved communities and youth who live within arm’s reach of open space, but do not100

California State Parks Foundation provides the Feather River Center with a $12,000 grant to benefit victims of the Paradise Camp Fire.

Legislation to Increase Access to Green Spaces for All Californians Passes Out of Critical Policy Committees Sacramento, CA – The California Legislature has officially advanced two parks access bills out of their policy committees, AB 209 (Limon) and AB 556 (Carrillo). The bills’ progression is a critical step in addressing the barriers to access that impact many of our state’s underserved communities. Both bills establish programs that will work to ensure that every Californian, especially youth, can experience the crucial health and wellness benefits that our more than 280 state parks100

State Parks Resources Allocated in 2019-20 Budget are a Foundation that Must be Built Upon to Ensure All Californians Can Access the Crucial Health Benefits Parks Offer Sacramento, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom today signed his first budget as the 40th Governor of California, officially enacting Assembly Bill 74, the Budget Act of 2019. The budget aims to serve all Californians by focusing on vulnerable populations through expanded resources addressing critical problems like homelessness, the need for expanded healthcare and the housing crisis. The California State Parks Foundation is eager to100

State Parks Resources Allocated in 2019-20 Budget are a Foundation that Must be Built Upon to Ensure All Californians Can Access the Crucial Health Benefits Parks Offer Sacramento, CA – The California State Legislature yesterday voted to approve Assembly Bill 74, the Budget Act of 2019. The budget aims to serve all Californians by focusing on vulnerable populations through expanded resources addressing critical problems like homelessness, the need for expanded healthcare and the housing crisis. The California State Parks Foundation is eager to continue to work with our state leaders to build100

Sacramento, CA – The California Assembly Appropriations Committee has advanced two parks access bills to the Senate, AB 209 (Limon) and AB 556 (Carrillo). The bills’ passage through the Assembly is a critical step in addressing the barriers to access that impact many of our state’s underserved communities. Both bills establish programs that will work to ensure that every Californian, especially youth, can experience the health and wellness benefits that our more than 280 state parks provide. In early May, park advocates from across the state spoke with legislators about the importance of both100

Assemblymembers Carrillo and Limόn Honored for their Leadership as Park Champions Sacramento, CA – More than 100 advocates walked the halls of the State Capitol today to drive awareness of issues, like equitable park access, that are impacting Californians and ensure state parks are protected, accessible and funded for future generations. Since 2004 the California State Parks Foundation has hosted Park Advocacy Day to demonstrate the political strength of the parks movement, build a strong community of advocates to support California’s state parks and drive action on issues that are impacting100