California Eyes Three Parks
- California is proposing three new state parks, called the largest expansion in decades. - If approved, the additions would raise California’s state park total to 283, more than any other state. - The Los Angeles Times reported the parks proposal as a major conservation and recreation expansion for the state (latimes.com).
California proposes three new state parks, marking the largest expansion in decades if approved. (latimes.com) The parks would bring California's total to 283, more than any other state. Currently, the state manages 280 parks spanning 1.3 million acres. (latimes.com) One proposed park covers 23,000 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains near Los Angeles. It includes oak woodlands and coastal canyons for hiking and wildlife viewing. (latimes.com) A second site spans 15,000 acres in the San Bernardino Mountains. This area protects rare conifer forests and provides new trails for mountain biking. (latimes.com) The third proposal targets 10,000 acres along the Klamath River in Northern California. It preserves salmon habitats and offers river access for fishing and kayaking. (latimes.com) State Parks Director Armando Quintero called the plan "a once-in-a-generation opportunity to safeguard biodiversity." The proposal stems from land donations and acquisitions totaling $150 million. (latimes.com) California's state park system draws 80 million visitors annually, generating $5 billion in economic impact. These additions address overcrowding at existing sites like Big Sur and Yosemite-adjacent areas. (parks.ca.gov; latimes.com) Local tribes support the Klamath site for cultural preservation. The Yurok Tribe Chair said, "This protects sacred lands we've stewarded for millennia." (latimes.com) Environmental groups like the Sierra Club praise the move amid climate threats to California's ecosystems. Development pressures have destroyed 20% of coastal habitats since 2000. (sierraclub.org; latimes.com) The State Park and Recreation Commission will vote on the proposal in June 2026. Approval requires final environmental reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act. (parks.ca.gov)
