Fremont Peak State Park is one of the 48 state parks targeted
for closure in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget.
Fremont Peak State Park is one of the 48 state parks targeted for closure in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget.
The local park is often cited as one of the best views in the county, and stargazers frequently make use of its small observatory.
Schwarzenegger released his budget Thursday, calling for 10 percent cuts across the board in response to a $14.5 billion budget shortfall. Before taking effect, the budget must be approved by the state Senate and Assembly.
“The governor has a tough job, and he’s going to make a lot of people unhappy,” said San Benito County Supervisor Anthony Botelho. “From my perspective, I’m not happy about Fremont Peak closing. … That was the first place where the American flag was raised in California, and we’re going to close that park?”
Amateur astronomer David Baumgartner, a member of the Fremont Peak Observatory Association, also said he was distressed by the news.
“I’m very upset with this,” Baumgartner said. “If they close it down, I don’t see anyone else keeping it open.”
The peak’s observatory is a great spot for locals to watch and learn about the stars, planets and other celestial phenomena, Baumgartner said. During a high-profile astronomical event, such as a surprise comet appearance, “people just turn out in droves,” he said.
“We have to turn people back,” Baumgartner added.
A spokesman for the California Department of Finance did not return a Free Lance phone call Monday morning.
Under the governor’s proposal, the 48 parks, which also include Henry W. Coe State Park near Morgan Hill, would remain closed until more funds become available. The parks could also be handed over to local governments.
Asked if San Benito County might take over Fremont Peak, Botelho said: “I wouldn’t rule it out. But the reality of it is that county and city governments are struggling with the same issues to maintain a balanced budget.”
According to the governor’s budget summary, the closure of 48 of the state’s 278 parks – around 15 percent – and the elimination of around 129 jobs would save the state $13.3 million in fiscal year 2008-09. The number of seasonal lifeguards at state beaches in Orange, San Diego and Santa Cruz counties will be cut by at least 50 percent.
Like Botelho, Baumgartner said he sympathized with the governor’s general goal, until he found out local parks would be affected.
“At first you think, ‘Good, we need to cut back,'” Baumgartner said. “Then you find out they’re cutting your project.”
