Budget Problems Threaten Park Buys

The California Public Works Board agreed to add 1,000 acres of redwoods to Castle Rock State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains. But they also decided to keep the newly acquired acreage unmarked and closed to the public to save money.

California has stopped acquiring land for state parks for the foreseeable future because it cannot afford to staff and maintain new parkland, according to a newspaper report.

Facing a budget deficit next year of up to $10 billion, state public works officials quietly decided in March to stop accepting or buying new parkland. Following outcries from environmentalists and conservationists, however 1,000 acres of redwoods were purchased. Critics of the plan note that voters have approved more than $10 billion in bond money for new parks and water projects over the past four years. Some argue that no other California governor has halted all land purchases for parks, even during the Depression.

"They haven't stopped acquiring lands for new prisons or DMV offices. Somehow they have singled out state parks for special punishment," said Fred Keeley, a former Santa Cruz assemblyman.

Bob Campbell, general counsel for the governor's Finance Department, countered by saying, "we're not antipark or anti-acquisition. But we are mindful of the budget situation. And we have to take that into account."