Rally at Natural Bridges to Save State Parks & Beaches

Tue, Jun 2, 2009 5:22PM

If approved by the state legislature, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget plan will close 220 of 279 State Parks and Beaches, including each and every State Park and Beach in Santa Cruz County.

Hundreds of people attended a rally on Monday, June 1st at Natural Bridges State Beach to save State Parks and Beaches.

The proposed Santa Cruz County State Park and Beach closures are Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Castle Rock State Park, Castro Adobe State Historic Park, Coast Dairies State Park, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Lighthouse Field State Beach, Manresa State Beach, Manresa Uplands State Park, Natural Bridges State Beach, New Brighton State Beach, Palm State Beach, Rio Del Mar State Beach, Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, Seabright State Beach, Seacliff State Beach, Sunset State Beach, The Forest of Nisene Marks, Twin Lakes State Beach and Wilder Ranch State Park.

On Tuesday, June 2nd, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks took a bus to Sacramento for the only public hearing on this proposal before the Legislative Budget Conference Committee.

For more information, please visit:

All State Parks & Beaches in Santa Cruz County Slated for Closure!! What you can do?!?
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/05/31/18599607.php

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
http://www.thatsmypark.org

California State Parks Foundation
http://www.calparks.org

§California State Parks Volunteer

by ~Bradley

Tue, Jun 2, 2009 5:22PM

§What Will Happen to State Parks and Beaches?

by ~Bradley

Tue, Jun 2, 2009 5:22PM

§Neal Coonerty

by ~Bradley

Tue, Jun 2, 2009 5:22PM

Neal Coonerty is the Third District Supervisor for Santa Cruz County

§Hundreds Rally to Save State Parks and Beaches

by ~Bradley

Tue, Jun 2, 2009 5:22PM

§PETITION: Don't Close Our State Parks!

by ~Bradley

Tue, Jun 2, 2009 5:22PM

To read, sign and send a letter, go to:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/05/31/18599607.php#18599611

§Janet Schwind

by ~Bradley

Tue, Jun 2, 2009 5:22PM

Janet Schwind is a volunteer docent at Wilder Ranch

§Fred Keeley

by ~Bradley

Tue, Jun 2, 2009 5:22PM

From 1996 to 2002, Fred Keeley was a member of the California State Assembly, representing District 27, which includes parts of Santa Cruz County and Monterey County. He is currently the Treasurer of Santa Cruz County.

Keeley explained that under Schwarzenegger's budget plan, the State Parks & Beaches will not be closed; they will be abandoned. Keeley concluded his remarks by saying, "Save our parks and save our state!"

§Great Great Grandaughter of Carrie Stevens Walter

by ~Bradley

Tue, Jun 2, 2009 5:22PM

Big Basin is California's oldest State Park, established in 1902.

By the late 1800s, redwood forests were gaining international appreciation. Early conservationists, including such notables as Andrew P. Hill, Father Robert Kenna, Carrie Stevens Walter and Josephine McCracken, led the movement to create a park to preserve the mighty redwoods. On May 19, 1900, the Sempervirens Club was formed at the base of Slippery Rock, within the present day park. In 1902, the California Redwood Park was created in Big Basin on 3800 acres (15 km²), most of it old growth forest.

more information at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Basin_Redwoods_State_Park

§Lee

by ~Bradley

Tue, Jun 2, 2009 5:22PM

Lee was holding a sign that said "Save Seabright." He also went to Sacramento on June 2nd as part of the effort to save the Parks.

§Teacher in San Jose

by ~Bradley

Tue, Jun 2, 2009 5:22PM

I didn't catch her name, but this elementary school teacher in San Jose said that her students were very upset to learn that their favorite State Parks, including San Juan Bautista State Historic Park, are threatened with closure.

A proposed list of State Park closures can be found at:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/05/31/18599607.php#18600051

§Save Wilder Ranch

by ~Bradley

Tue, Jun 2, 2009 5:22PM