(s)parks of insanity

California has 279 state parks, reserves and beaches; 220 of which the state is planning on shutting down because of the budget crisis. The savings would be less that 1% of the state budget and only consider the parks operational costs. What about the ranger and maintenance jobs that would be lost? (more people receiving unemployment and less payroll taxes collected for the state) The school field trips that would be canceled due to lack of destination? Possible store and restaurant closures that would happen because the proprietors rely on traffic to and from the parks for customers. (more job loss, unemployment recipients, less payroll taxes collected and it ripples outward in the local communities from there) Annual festivals held at these parks that would come to a halt. (example: The Poppy Festival at the Poppy Reserve in Lancaster.)

Outside of all the monetary arguments that seem to prove closure of the parks as illogical the unquantifiable arguments are even more convincing . The joy that these areas provide to the citizens and in difficult economic times these places provide very low cost getaways for families. Many of these locations are also near larger urban areas and offer children who are accustomed to their concrete jungle neighborhoods exposure to the beauty of nature. (In my own case I would like to suggest that mothers have destinations for temporary breaks in order to collect their thoughts and restore their sanity. I think that motherly happiness is reason enough. After all when I am happy the whole world sings. No?)

I wonder if the legislators are also cutting their per diem rates, state paid for car allowances and taking pay cuts?

links:

LA Times Article: Proposed State Parks Closure List is Not for the Faint of Heart
CA State Parks Foundation: Proposed List of State Park Closures

(picture credit)