Sponsorship saves state parks from closure

Madison Dennis, 3, constructs her sand castle at Sunset State Beach Friday morning. (Photos by Erik Chalhoub).

WATSONVILLE — After fears that 70 California state parks would be closed starting Sunday, state officials said Thursday that nearly all of them will stay open, at least for now.

Thanks to recent legislation, the California Department of Parks and Recreation has been able to pen deals with non-profits, private donors and organizations around the state to help 40 parks that were at risk of closing keep their doors open.

An additional 25 parks are awaiting similar agreements, and while five have not found support, money set aside by lawmakers will keep them open this year.

Celia Buckley spent Friday morning sitting quietly at her campsite at Sunset Beach State Park, watching as three red-tailed hawk fledglings learned to hunt by taking tentative practice dives through the light fog from the tall trees that surrounded her.

“Where else would I have an opportunity like that,” she said.

For the complete article see the 06-30-2012 issue.

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