FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 26, 2009
CONTACT:
Ron Krueper (951) 443-2423
Service Reductions Announced at Inland Empire
California State Parks
To realize significant savings and help the budget reduction while limiting impacts to the many visitors who enjoy our local state parks, various weekday park closures will occur in the Inland Empire District starting this Sunday.
“In order to maintain high quality service and public safety standards during high-peak visitor use periods experienced during the warmer summer seasons, weekends and holidays we must reduce services during slower non-peak visitor use periods such as weekdays during the winter and spring seasons,” said Ron Krueper, Inland Empire District Superintendent.
On September 25, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a plan to keep all state parks open, while continuing to move forward on the department’s $14.2 million budget reduction. To avoid full and complete park closures while achieving the budgeted savings, weekday service reductions will take place at the following parks starting this Sunday, November 1 and will remain in place through the end of the current fiscal year on June 30, 2010:
Lake Perris SRA – Park closed to public and vehicle entry for day use and camping every Tuesday and Wednesday each week until March 31, 2010. Park will be open for Day Use and Camping Thursday through Monday and any holidays each week until March 31, 2010. Park Day Use hours changed to 7am – 6pm (current hours 6am – 8pm). Starting April 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010 – Park returns to being open 7 days a week with Day Use hours changed to 6am to 8pm (current peak season hours 6am-10pm). Lake Perris Sector Office will return to being open Monday – Thursday with the first 3 Fridays of each month closed due to furlough days.
Silverwood Lake SRA – Park closed to public and vehicle entry for day use and camping every Wednesday and Thursday each week until March 31, 2010. The park will be open for Day Use and Camping Friday through Tuesday and any holidays each week until March 31, 2010. Day Use hours changed to 7am – 5pm (current hours 7am – 7pm). Starting April 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010 – Park returns to being open 7 days a week with Day Use hours changed to 6am to 9pm. Silverwood Sector Office will return to being open Monday – Thursday with the first three Fridays of each month closed due to furlough days.
California Citrus SHP – Park closed to general public and vehicle entry for day use every Monday though Thursday each week until June 30, 2010. Park will be open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and any holidays each week until June 30, 2010. Park Day Use hours changed to 8am – 5pm when open to the public Friday – Sunday and Holidays (current hours 8am – 7pm). Weddings and Sunkist Building Rentals will still be available 7 days a week through the California Citrus Non-Profit Management Corporation. School tours will also still be accommodated by park volunteers on a case by case basis. The main Park Sector Office located at the Citrus Park will completely be closed to the public until June 30, 2010 – Caretaker status. Regular Park Office business and phone operations will temporarily be transferred to Lake Perris SRA approximately 20 miles away.
Chino Hills SP – Park closed to public and vehicle entry for day use and camping every Monday though Thursday each week until June 30, 2010. Park will be open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and any holidays each week until June 30, 2010. Park Day Use hours changed to 8am – 5pm (current hours 8am – 7pm).
Mount San Jacinto SP – Idyllwild Campground, Day Use and Sector Office will be closed every Monday through Wednesday each week starting November 2, 2009 until May 14, 2010. This facility will be open Thursday through Sunday each week during this off-peak time. Starting May 15, 2010 these park facilities will revert back to being open 7 days a week. Stone Creek Campground near Idyllwild is normally closed for the season during this time. It will also open May 15, 2010 7 days a week. Mount San Jacinto Wilderness Area and Long Valley Ranger Station (Palm Springs Tram area) will remain open year round as usual.
San Timoteo and Wildwood Canyon SP – No Service Reductions.
What does the future hold for these State Parks after June 30, 2010?
“We remain hopeful that we will not have to continue with these Service Reductions next year”, said Krueper.
To achieve the $22.2 million of ongoing future General Fund savings included for in the 2009 Budget Act, the department and current administration will be exploring various solutions for inclusion in the January 10, 2010 (FY 2010/2011) budget to generate ongoing budget savings while minimizing any complete park closures.
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