According to a story on the Sacramento Bee, the closure of 70 state parks was announced on May 13th. The closure is part of a budget plan proposed to reducing the state parks budget by $22 million. What these means for mountain biking at these parks remains to be seen. There could be a bright side to this, as Parks is apparently seeking to parter with local governments and non-profits in an attempt to keep some of the parks open. For local mountain bike groups, this could become an opportunity, as hiking groups and equestrians are notorious for their lack of attendance during volunteer trail work days. The threat of losing trails also aids in boosting membership: larger membership base= additional capacity.
If the trails remain open due to the efforts of mountain bikers alone, it could go a long way in improving the trail experience specifically for cycling, (something many of the bland local multi-use trails lack) – especially if we’re the official caretakers of the trails.
The official closures will not take place until July 1, 2012. A lot could happen in a year.
Official Press release from California Department of Parks and Recreation. (PDF)
MTBR forum thread: Massive closure of State Parks Announced
Sacramento Bee article: California officials announce closure of 70 state parks
Full list of the closures via the parks department
Anderson Marsh SHP
Annadel SP
Antelope Valley Indian Museum
Austin Creek SRA
Bale Grist Mill SHP
Benbow Lake SRA
Benicia Capitol SHP
Benicia SRA
Bidwell Mansion SHP
Bothe-Napa Valley SP
Brannan Island SRA
California Mining & Mineral Museum
Candlestick Point SRA
Castle Crags SP
Castle Rock SP
China Camp SP
Colusa-Sacramento River SRA
Del Norte Coast Redwoods SP
Fort Humboldt SHP
Fort Tejon SHP
Garrapata SP
George J. Hatfield SRA
Governor’s Mansion SHP
Gray Whale Cove SB
Greenwood SB
Grizzly Creek Redwoods SP
Hendy Woods SP
Henry W. Coe SP
Jack London SHP
Jug Handle SNR
Leland Stanford Mansion SHP
Limekiln SP
Los Encinos SHP
Malakoff Diggins SHP
Manchester SP
McConnell SRA
McGrath SB
Mono Lake Tufa SNR
Morro Strand SB
Moss Landing SB
Olompali SHP
Palomar Mountain SP
Petaluma Adobe SHP
Picacho SRA
Pio Pico SHP
Plumas-Eureka SP
Point Cabrillo Light Station
Portola Redwoods SP
Providence Mountains SRA
Railtown 1897 SHP
Russian Gulch SP
Saddleback Butte SP
Salton Sea SRA
Samuel P. Taylor SP
San Pasqual Battlefield SHP
Santa Cruz Mission SHP
Santa Susana Pass SHP
Shasta SHP
South Yuba River SP
Standish-Hickey SRA
Sugarloaf Ridge SP
Tomales Bay SP
Tule Elk SNR
Turlock Lake SRA
Twin Lakes SB
Weaverville Joss House SHP
Westport-Union Landing SB
William B. Ide Adobe SHP
Woodson Bridge SRA
Zmudowski SB
top photo: Inga Beck enjoys the single track loop at China Camp State Park
