Talking Points
These 48 parks represent some of the most significant cultural, historic, and natural resources in the state. From the story of California’s gold rush and pioneer days told by Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, to a retelling of California’s early statehood days and pre-Sacramento government told by Benicia Capitol State Historic Park, these are living pieces of California’s history. The parks slated for closure also contain some of the most magnificent natural resources that have been preserved to allow Californians to explore the state’s natural environment. From ancient redwoods in Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve, to coastal access at Montaña de Oro, San Simeon or Tomales Bay State Parks, these parklands hold some of the most unique environmental treasures in the world – and have been specifically set aside for Californians and visitors around the globe to enjoy.
The 16 state beaches that are slated to have lifeguards removed from their shores are some of the most popular and heavily-visited state beaches in California. Collectively, these parks host more than 24 million visitors each year. With 79 million visits logged to the entire 278-unit state park system in 2006-07, visits to state beaches accounted for more than 30 percent of all state park visits. Removing lifeguards from the shores of California’s state beaches – particularly during peak summer seasons – is a recipe for disaster.
California’s state park system started with citizen activism. Big Basin State Park – the first state park – became a reality because forward-thinking Californians took it upon themselves in the early 1900s to lobby for preservation of the wonderful resources in those redwood groves. Now, eighty years after the passage of the first park bond and creation of the state park system, citizen activism to save our state parks is needed. Take a moment now and add your voice to the growing chorus of Californians across the state in stopping this attack on state parks!
