Dozens of state parks are set to close this summer due to state budget cuts. Democratic Assemblyman Jared Huffman is offering a bill he said may prevent some closures. His legislation would create a minimum funding level for parks, encouraging local governments and non-profit organizations to step in and help run them. Huffman said his bill would also improve the collection of park fees.
“It’s typically using archaic equipment and sporadic efforts involving kiosks that are not even staffed much of the time, so getting the users of these parks to actually pay a reasonable and a convenient fee for their park use is a huge part,” said Huffman.
Huffman also wants to limit the number of parks that can be closed without legislative approval and open up more parks to special events like weddings and concerts. And he wants to create a new parks license plate and allow Californians to buy a parks pass when they file their taxes.
