Last-minute reprieve for local state parks is unlikely
If Fremont Peak State Park supporters hope to keep it open for
the next two years, it’s going to require a creative approach void
of California tax dollars, or a really good prayer.
Fremont Peak and the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park are
likely to be on the list of more than 100 state parks scheduled for
closure, with a final announcement expected this weekend.
Last-minute reprieve for local state parks is unlikely
If Fremont Peak State Park supporters hope to keep it open for the next two years, it’s going to require a creative approach void of California tax dollars, or a really good prayer.
Fremont Peak and the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park are likely to be on the list of more than 100 state parks scheduled for closure, with a final announcement expected this weekend.
Just two weekends ago, more than 200 people attended a rally sponsored by the Fremont Peak Observatory Association in support of keeping it open. It’s nice to see that kind of enthusiasm in the community for the landmark near San Juan Bautista. In the end, unfortunately for those supporters, the dilemma comes down to dollars and responsible budgeting.
Considering prudence has become a safe political bet these days, and considering many state leaders already have taken an early knockout blow to the chin for reelection bids by widely mismanaging the budget, it appears as though the organized alarm bells were deafened before they even went off.
One of three things must happen for Fremont Peak to stay open, and none are likely.
– State leaders drop the entire park closure idea: It’s not happening considering they already have slashed through a wide range of social and educational programs to cut the $26 billion deficit.
– Local governments chip in to pay the necessary $100,000 over the next two years – or one of them takes over the property from the state – to unlock the gates: This is highly unlikely as well because local governments are strapped for cash and have their own, difficult layoffs to consider. San Juan Bautista, in particular, is in no place to make such an investment.
– Local businesses or nonprofits contribute the necessary funds: With the economy down, so is discretionary, charitable spending. It’s an improbable outcome and would necessitate a large contributor’s involvement. But in reality, who has $100,000 sitting around these days for a non-essential function?
If none of those options work out, the county will lose the park in the short term. It has happened before and it probably will happen again.
The state has decided to narrow its list of functioning parks by focusing on the dollars. The parks that do well stay open. The parks that don’t come close to offsetting their costs will close. It’s hard to swallow in San Benito County. Politically, statewide, it makes a lot of sense.
Still, if there is enough support generated locally to keep Fremont Peak or the historic park open, all the better for the community. If otherwise, it’s not the end of the world.
