Fremont Peak State Historic Park in San Juan Bautista and Henry
Coe State Park in Morgan Hill both made the governor’s cut list and
are set for closure under his most recent plan released today. The
220 parks scheduled to close are those that rely on general fund
revenue.
Updated: Fremont Peak State Historic Park is on the list of 220 California parks set for closure under the governor’s plan to reduce the $24 billion deficit.
Fremont Peak in San Juan Bautista and Henry Coe State Park in Morgan Hill both made the list. The 220 parks set for closure are those that rely on general fund revenue. The 59 that would stay open are those that “could be self-sustaining, obtaining revenue by other means,” according to the state parks Web site.
Closing the parks would save an estimated $144 million annually, according to the state parks department.
For the complete list of parks to close under the governor’s plan, go here.
Below is a story published earlier today:
HOLLISTER
A local state parks official this week said Fremont Peak State Historic Park does not have any known “definitive operational impacts” on the table from state budget proposals at this time.
“At this point, until it is an official notification, it is just a proposal,” said Gavilan Sector Superintendent Eddie Guaracha, referring to the governor’s proposal to close state parks and help cut a $24 billion deficit. “We haven’t received any notification yet – only thing I’ve seen is from articles.”
In 2008, both Fremont Peak and Henry Coe state parks were on the chopping block to make up for a $14.5 billion budget deficit. It was estimated at the time that closing 48 parks, including both Fremont and Henry Coe, would have eliminated 129 jobs and saved the state $13.3 million. This time, the governor’s office has broached the idea of closing more than 200 parks, but it has yet to release an entire list.
Should Fremont Peak and other parks close, Guaracha said, they still would need some oversight. He said parks need staff to patrol for threats such as poaching and fires.
“There is a lot more involved than just closing the park,” he said. “It’s not like we can put up a wall to keep people out of the parks.”
When the budget is finally resolved and if parks do close, staffing levels would be cut but cannot be relinquished completely, he contended.
“It’s stressful on the staff, but I really can’t say anything to them,” Guaracha said.
If Fremont Peak falls victim to the governor’s budget cuts, the impact will be significant, but Guaracha said he will stand behind the decision.
“We’ll support the department and what it deems best.”
