Report: State Should Look to Local Control, Nonprofits to Save Parks

A new report encourages California State Parks to innovate by turning control of park lands over to local governments and nonprofits.

The report, "Beyond Crisis: Recapturing Excellence in California's State Park System," was released by the Little Hoover Commission this month.

The report encourages innovation and turning over state lands to local governments and nonprofits, mainly because State Parks has more land than it can manage.

"Those parks determined to serve primarily local or regional needs should be realigned," the report states, adding that the priority should be given to parks that lack statewide significance.

While the report does encourage more local collaboration, and even control, it does not give specifics on how the state could keep all of its parks open.

"It may not always be possible for local governments to assume the cost," Chris McKenzie, executive director of the League of California Cities, told the L.A. Times.

State Parks has put a two-year moratorium on closures, thanks to the discovery of a hidden $54 million surplus. The agency had been cutting services and threatening to close 70 of 280 parks to save $22 million.

Malibu has its fare share of State Parks land in city limits, none of which were among the 70 parks slated for closure last year.

However, Malibu has been vocal about the need for the city have to more of a voice in how the state manages its lands, especially State Parks projects, including the Malibu Lagoon Restoration and Enhancement Project and the Rindge Dam Removal Project.

At the Malibu City Council meeting Monday, Councilwoman Laura Zahn Rosenthal said she learned from the Malibu Lagoon Project the importance of being vocal.

"We want to make sure we are much more involved in an early stage in the Rindge Dam," Rosenthal said. " ... I personally am going to make sure we stay on top of that. It will effect us a lot. I can make that promise right now."

Read the full report online.