Most of you have probably heard about California’s budget crisis by now. Seems like this is almost a perpetual story in recent years, made particularly acute by the sagging state economy and serious decline in revenues to government at all levels in the state. In an effort to make up a shortfall in excess of $23 billion, the governor has proposed some draconian cuts, including closing 220 of the 279 state park units in California.
Now you may be thinking There but for the grace of God go I. I sincerely hope that the agency or organization that supports your position and programs is in good financial shape and that you’re not in immediate fear of losing a job or a program. Whether your programs are secure or shaky, you may want to pay some attention to what’s happening in California.
California State Parks has a very active support group, the California State Parks Foundation, and many of the individual park units have auxiliary or friends groups that help raise funds and awareness for the parks. These support groups have ramped up an extensive public awareness and advocacy campaign to fight the closure of state park units. Similar efforts are underway for various local and county park systems around the state.
Park advocates point out that the cost of operating parks is but a fraction of one percent of the overall state budget, and that many parks bring in significant revenue, earning back a large part of their operating cost. In an economy where many families are relying on state and local parks to provide camping opportunities, summer day camps and other inexpensive family recreation, closing parks and programs may have huge social costs as well.In another wrinkle on this complex story, the National Park Service has informed the state the federal government may take over six state parks that were created on former federal lands. In transferring the land to California State Parks, there is a requirement that public access to the sites be maintained. Some feel that closing these state parks would violate that agreement and the land should revert back to federal management (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/01/ap/national/main5127931.shtml).
The drive to rescue 220 state parks from the budget crisis is a good case study in justifying your existence in the political and socioeconomic arena. The campaign has some well-developed and effective strategy—and a lot of supporters that are gathering momentum. You never know when your staff and programs may be put in a similar position, and we might do well to watch the California campaign to gather successful ideas and strategy if we ever need them.
Here are a few web sites where you can learn more:
California State Parks Foundation: http://ga3.org/campaign/budget_may09
Save Our State Parks Campaign: http://www.savestateparks.org/
4 Responses
July 14th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Well said Jim. I’ve been watching the CA situation closely. As interpreters or site mgrs, if you’re not in this same situation right now, now is the time to seriously think about and implement strategies for how you would deal with this reality if it hit your site. Partnerships, friends groups, outside funding, clear and factual data on the value of your site/services/programs, etc. all take years to develop. Once you’re hit with sweeping budget cuts, that is not the time to begin working on these. Plan ahead, and plan for the worst (while hoping for the best). Regardless if you’re ever hit w/ major cuts, the above strategies and methods of increasing your sites awareness and effectiveness will serve you well.
July 14th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
It’s called revenge. Arnold and the legislature to voters: you didn’t give us what we wanted, so we’re going to take our ball and go home. They figure there’s no harm cutting something that only hurts “the bourgeois”. Even if actually generates income and interest in the state.
July 15th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Arizona nearly shut down all state parks prior to the 4th of July Weekend, (July1). This was a result of the state not being able to set a budget, so with the impasse, they were closing all state parks except three, two of which were being operated by their local cities until July 5th. These cities got a special use agreement to operate, maintain and control the parks. Luckily, the budget passed and they never really closed. Michael Kirschman is right about outside funding. The cities who agreed to run their local parks realized the financial impact closing their parks for a major holiday weekend would have, so they worked to keep them open. I hope these state scenarios are not a micrcosms of what is to come nationally with public lands.
August 8th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Dear NAI:
Perhaps some of you have heard about California’s budget woes and especially the Governor’s scheme to shut down (close) more than 200 parks.
Now the new budget calls for closing 100 or so.
Of course, as a retired state park ranger, I think the notion of closing all these parks is outlandishly stupid.
There was a bill to enact a $15 fee on car licenses … with the money funding all parks. But the state’s Republican legislators refused to vote for this
bill. By the way, the bill would have then given free day use to California registered vehicles, which lots of people would have appreciated.
Question to you all … has the governor of any of the other states tried to do enact such a hair-brained idea to close most all state
parks?
Thanks for considering announcing this somewhere.
Bill Krumbein
Santa Rosa, CA
NAI Life member
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