Calif. Parks Supporters Release Web Video, Urge Schwarzenegger to Approve $15 Annual...

Calif. Parks Supporters Release Web Video, Urge Schwarzenegger to Approve $15
Annual Parks Fee

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- With hours left before the State
of California goes without a state budget and begins issuing IOUs, parks
supporters today released a Web video in which frustrated and concerned
Californians urge Governor Schwarzenegger to keep parks open and approve the
$15 annual parks fee that has been passed in the legislature. The annual fee,
known as the State Parks Access Pass, would eliminate the need to implement
the governor's plan to close 220 state parks, beaches and historic sites.

LINK: http://www.youtube.com/user/ThatsMyPark1

The video, shot in one day at multiple locations, includes
"person-on-the-street" quotes from visitors from across California:

On closing the parks...

"I am a Republican and lots of my friends are Democrats, and we're
both saying the same thing: come together, think of the people, think
of the welfare of our state. And some common sense would be
refreshing."

"The idea of closing parks is shocking. I think it's ridiculous."

"I hope they'd take into consideration the economic impact the parks
have on the community."

On the $15 annual fee, which in addition to funding the parks, would
provide free day-use access to for all non-commercial vehicles registered in
California...

"Absolutely. Especially if it would give me access to all the parks
for a one-time (annual) fee. That's really nominal and totally
worth it."

"Fifteen dollars? That's what, the price of a couple trips to
McDonald's?"

"I would be glad to pay double that amount just to keeps these
parks open."

PARK CLOSURE FACTOIDS

-- Annual number of visitor to CA State Parks: more than 80 million
-- Amount to be "saved" by closing 220 State Parks: $70 million

-- Economic activities estimated to be generated annually by State Parks:
$4.2 billion

Web video produced by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, an organization that
has worked for more than 30 years to preserve precious state park lands and
provide essential funds to support park programs that inspire and build
connections between people and nature. For more information about Friends of
Santa Cruz State Parks, visit www.ThatsMyPark.org. Also available on Facebook
and Twitter.

SOURCE Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks

Bill Maxfield of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, +1-831-227-6469