Mt. Diablo Spared in Latest State Park Closure List

Some of California's most beloved parks could be closed under a plan announced Friday by Gov. Jerry Brown's administration as part of an effort to reduce the state's $5.4 billion deficit.

No East Bay parks are on the list, including . 

However, the 70 on the list include a number of popular Northern California parks within easy driving distance, including Jack London State Park in Sonoma County, Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Marin County, Henry W. Coe State Park near Morgan Hill; Castle Rock and Twin Lakes State Beach in Santa Cruz County; Portola Redwoods in San Mateo County; Moss Landing State Beach and Limekiln State Park in Big Sur.

However, popular, oft-visited parks such as Hearst Castle, Big Basin, parks around Lake Tahoe and popular Southern California beaches will remain open. 

The list is based on $10 million in cuts to the parks budget this year, and $20 million next year, that the Legislature approved in March. If the plan is implemented, the parks would close on July 1, 2012.

This is the the third year that state park officials have released a list of parks that must close in order to save the cash-strapped state money. More than 200 parks have been on previous lists, including Mt. Diablo State Park.

Previously, public outcry in the form of letters, calls and emails prompted former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to reverse course and reduce hours at many parks instead. 

If the parks eventually do close, nothing will stop people from hiking and camping  in the park forests or visiting the beaches. But with no park staff monitoring the use, there are fears for the public's safety and for the preservation of these precious natural resources. Park advocates worries about fires starting in campfires,  poaching and closed parklands being used by marijuana growers.  

Click on the PDF with the photos for the full press release and list of parks on the closure list. The California State Parks Foundation also has a list of parks on the closure list.