Gov.'s proposal to close 48 sites angers avid users

When Will Rogers State Historic Park was rededicated in March 2006 after a $5-million restoration, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger stood before a crowd of Rogers family members, state officials and media and proclaimed the park a jewel that held special meaning for him. It was there amid eucalyptus trees and meadows that he had learned to ride horses for his "Conan" movies and had romped with his children on the lawn when his family lived next door.

Schwarzenegger's long association with the storied Pacific Palisades site failed to save it Thursday from inclusion on a list of 48 state parks and beaches slated for closure as part of a drastic budget-cutting plan.

That the governor would even dream of closing the legendary park dismayed Dianne Sax, who Thursday was completing one of the thrice-weekly hikes, prescribed by her doctor, at the facility.

"It's very serious to me," said Sax, 67, of Venice. "This is the safest place for me to hike all by myself. The people of Los Angeles need this park as an open and accessible area to enjoy nature."

Joggers, surfers, artists and other avid users of California's state parks and beaches expressed outrage and disbelief as they absorbed word of Schwarzenegger's proposal, which would shutter even famed San Simeon State Park near Hearst Castle. In addition to the 48 closures, the governor suggested cutting back lifeguards at 16 state beaches.

Of the state's 278 parks, those slated for closure are the least used, produce the least revenue and are the easiest to secure, according to parks officials.

If the budget takes effect as written, gates would be put up at the entrances to 43 of the parks, which would be patrolled and maintained but would not be open to the public, said state parks Director Ruth Coleman. Others would be partially closed. For instance, one of the two campgrounds at Mt. San Jacinto State Park would be closed. The sites slated for closure include Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park in the state's far northwest corner and Salton Sea State Recreation Area in the southeast.

Coleman said the closures would mean the loss of about 6 1/2 million visitors for a system that had 79 million visitors in 2007. Parks officials said they had not yet decided whether to issue tickets to people who venture onto the closed facilities.

Among the targeted parks are attractions popular with school classes, including Topanga State Park, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park in Sacramento and Pio Pico State Historic Park in Whittier.