Advocacy Accomplishments

The California State Parks Foundation works to increase funding, protect and preserve public access to our state park lands. In 2006, our efforts helped to make the following achievements possible.

Funding for state parks

The fiscal year 2006-2007 state budget contained a one-time augmentation of $250 million for deferred maintenance needs and an additional $15 million into the base budget for the Department of Parks and Recreation for ongoing maintenance and operations needs. With an overall deferred maintenance project list topping $900 million, these funds are critical to making sure the state can fix what's broken in state parks, and make necessary improvements for the health, safety and enjoyment of park visitors. 

On June 30, 2006 the Governor held a budget-signing ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, and the California State Parks Foundation was invited as one of many organizations to stand behind the Governor and legislative leaders during the ceremony.

Prop. 84

With the passage of Prop 84, $400 million for state parks and $400 million for local and regional parks will be made available upon appropriation in the Legislature.  These much-needed infusions for park infrastructure come at a time when many communities will also be planning how to spend billions in housing, flood control, transportation and education infrastructure funds also passed by the voters.  As the next years see a boom in construction and development, ensuring that our park lands and park boundaries remain protected will be a major priority in the Foundation's work in protecting and preserving California's state parks. 

Park Advocacy Day

On March 20, 2007 over 100 state park supporters participated in the Foundation's 4th Annual Park Advocacy Day.  More than 120 meeting were held with legislators and Administration representatives. Senator President pro Tempore Don Perata and Assemblymember Pedro Nava were honored as our annual "Legacy Award" recipients for their commitment to state parks. Read more about Park Advocacy Day

Park Protection Efforts

San Onofre State Beach

The Orange County Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) has proposed a sixteen-mile extension of Route 241 from Orange to San Diego Counties, cutting right through the heart of San Onofre State Beach. Since mid-2004, the California State Parks Foundation has participated in a statewide coalition seeking to eliminate the possibility that the toll road would bisect San Onofre State Beach. 

To date, 14 local governments have adopted resolutions or sent letters to the Governor and the toll road agency supporting the park, including the City and County of San Francisco, the County of Santa Cruz, the County of Venture and the cities of Los Angeles, Oceanside, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Del Mar, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica, Malibu, San Luis Obispo, Imperial Beach and the City of Berkeley.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

A proposal to build a new electricity transmission line through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego County threatens the largest state park in California, particularly because the proposal would require de-designation of state wilderness in a state park, which has never before been done.  

In September 2006, the Foundation formally became an interested party to the pending Public Utilities Commission decision over siting new electricity transmission lines through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.