220 Calif. Parks in Danger of Closing
Friday, May 29, 2009 | Updated 3:13 PM PST
Could these Golden Poppies at Mt. Diablo State Park one day become part of the chopping block?
State parks officials say 220 parks around California could be shuttered under Gov. Schwarzenegger's budget proposal.
Among the sights that could be closed to visitors: many of the Redwoods along the foggy north coast, Emerald Bay on the shores of Lake Tahoe and Will Rogers' ranch in Southern California.
Schwarzenegger on Tuesday proposed eliminating $70 million that the state is expected to spend on parks through June 30, 2010. Another $143.4 million would be saved in the following fiscal year by keeping the parks closed.
The state parks department says the cut would leave them with enough money to run just 59 of California's 279 state parks.
The park cuts are among $18 billion worth of cuts the governor has proposed to lawmakers faced with a $24.3 billion deficit.
Complete List: 220 California State Parks to Close
