How red ink will affect local state parks

Budget cuts will likely force state parks in and around Sonoma to reduce hours and close temporarily during the winter, a parks official said Wednesday.
Dave Gould, district superintendent, said he was mandated to cut $1 million from the budget for his 17-park district. The 16 percent decrease will primarily hit staffing, the district’s largest expense, forcing a reduction in park hours.
“We are anticipating closures,” he said Wednesday. “Sonoma parks will not be immune.”
Any closure would be temporary. “Parks won’t be shuttered,” he said, “but possibly closing a few days of the week, or longer in the winter.” Special events and school visits could merit visits to “closed” parks, he said.
Throughout the state budget crisis, state parks with low attendance and revenue were targets for being shut down. At one point, it was feared over 200 of the state’s 279 parks might be closed. The current figure, offered by sources including the California State Parks Foundation, is 100 sites.
“It’s a business decision,” said Gould, addressing a City/State Parks Working Group chaired by Mayor Ken Brown.
Sonoma State Historic Park, comprised of Sonoma’s mission, barracks and Vallejo’s House, drew 500,000 visitors last year. “It’s high in visitation, but only moderate in revenue,” Gould said.
Gould is the California State Parks superintendent for the Diablo Vista District, which includes Sonoma’s park as well as Jack London, Sugarloaf Ridge and the Petaluma Adobe. Rather than gut three or four of the least-visited parks, Gould said he tried to “spread the pain over the entire district.”
The parks budget includes projected revenue from the increase in fees which went in to effect before Labor Day. A day-pass for the Sonoma park, which includes access to all three sites, is now $3 per adult. It had been $2.
The $1 million district cut was part of the State Parks Department budget, trimmed by more than $14 million overall, submitted to the governor. Final approval is expected next week, Gould said, although the governor could call for changes. Until then, “We’re in a holding pattern.”
With staff cuts likely, Gould said the parks would look to increase the use of volunteers. “We’re going to rely on docents more than ever before.”
Karla Noyes, of the docent council, took the opportunity to announce an upcoming training docent program. The seven–session program begins Sept. 26 and costs $50. Information: 707.939.2608.