State Parks Finances

The water's like glass. There's not a cloud in sight. We're at one of the planet's gems--Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. And the boat dock is an ugly hazard. It's symbolic of California's state park system--in sorry disrepair after years of cost-cutting and neglect. Millions of Californians who use--try to use--state parks no doubt have their own gripes this July Fourth weekend: filthy restrooms, rotted tables, eroded trails, broken barbecues. The Emerald Bay dock is my gripe.

The water's like glass. There's not a cloud in sight. We're at one of the planet's gems--Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. And the boat dock is an ugly hazard. It's symbolic of California's state park system--in sorry disrepair after years of cost-cutting and neglect. Millions of Californians who use--try to use--state parks no doubt have their own gripes this July Fourth weekend: filthy restrooms, rotted tables, eroded trails, broken barbecues. The Emerald Bay dock is my gripe.

The state park system, anticipating a $22.9-million budget shortfall in the next fiscal year, will cut hundreds of staff positions and reduce visitor services at parks throughout the state, including those in the Santa Monica Mountains, park officials said. Although specific closures and service cuts have not been determined for the 275 park units, officials said they are certain to reduce management and supervisory positions by 30% during the fiscal year that begins July 1.

A high-level Wilson Administration official said Thursday that some state parks may have to be closed or operated by other government entities if further deep cuts are made to balance the state budget. State Parks and Recreation Director Donald Murphy promised that "every innovative and creative" method of saving money will be pursued before parks are considered for closure, which he called a "last resort."

A high-level Wilson Administration official said Thursday that some state parks may have to be closed or operated by other government entities if further deep cuts are made to balance the state budget. State Parks and Recreation Director Donald Murphy promised that "every innovative and creative" method of saving money will be pursued before parks are considered for closure, which he called a "last resort."

Falling tax revenues and gross miscalculations of the income projected from fee increases forced state park officials Friday to order substantial reductions in their operations, including the partial closing of 15 historical parks. The unprecedented action--to take effect Jan. 1--came as parks department officials grappled with a potential revenue shortfall of $30.2 million, representing 17.1% of the department's $176.3-million budget.

Officials at three of Orange County's most popular recreation areas--Crystal Cove State Park and Bolsa Chica and Huntington state beaches--are bracing for deep budget cuts that will likely force them to reduce hours of operation, close off some areas and slash services. Officials say they are struggling to find ways to cope with California's financial crisis without jeopardizing the parks' natural resources or making them less enjoyable to the public. "We have to cut personnel.

California's vast park system, once considered one of the finest in the world, is "falling apart" as drastic fee increases have driven away users and years of neglect have forced it to forgo essential maintenance, a blue-ribbon committee finds in a new report. As summer begins, a financial crisis in the system raises the possibility that many parks could close--some as early as July 1, the height of the visitor season--and others could be forced to operate at reduced hours.

California's vast park system, once considered one of the finest in the world, is "falling apart" as drastic fee increases have driven away users and years of neglect have forced it to forgo essential maintenance, a blue-ribbon committee finds in a new report. As summer begins, a financial crisis in the system raises the possibility that many parks could close--some as early as July 1, the height of the visitor season--and others could be forced to operate at reduced hours.

The state park system, anticipating a $22.9-million budget shortfall in the next fiscal year, will cut hundreds of staff positions and reduce visitor services at parks throughout the state, including those in the Santa Monica Mountains, park officials said. Although specific closures and service cuts have not been determined for the 275 park units, officials said they are certain to reduce management and supervisory positions by 30% during the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Officials at three of Orange County's most popular recreation areas--Crystal Cove State Park and Bolsa Chica and Huntington state beaches--are bracing for deep budget cuts that will likely force them to reduce hours of operation, close off some areas and slash services. Officials say they are struggling to find ways to cope with California's financial crisis without jeopardizing the parks' natural resources or making them less enjoyable to the public. "We have to cut personnel.

Falling tax revenues and gross miscalculations of the income projected from fee increases forced state park officials Friday to order substantial reductions in their operations, including the partial closing of 15 historical parks. The unprecedented action--to take effect Jan. 1--came as parks department officials grappled with a potential revenue shortfall of $30.2 million, representing 17.1% of the department's $176.3-million budget.