California State Parks Foundation Urges the Governor and Legislature to Restore Funding for Popular Program

SACRAMENTO, CA – As summer gets underway, California State Parks Foundation is issuing an urgent call to Californians to sign a petition and contact their legislators in support of the California State Library Parks Pass. The funding for this popular state park access program will be eliminated in the state budget unless the Governor and the Legislature act before the end of the month.

“We are extremely concerned about the Governor’s proposal to end this highly effective and popular program providing free access to California state parks,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “The California State Library Parks Pass is critical to our state’s goal of a healthier, more equitable California for All.”

The California State Library Parks Pass gives library card holders free vehicle day-use entry to over 200 participating state parks. Since the start of the program, 33,000 California State Library Parks Passes have been placed in more than 1,100 public libraries. Libraries report that these passes are one of their most checked-out items.

The California State Library Parks Pass is an important resource for parents looking for an economical way to introduce their children to nature, particularly in the summer months when school is not in session. 

“While Marin County offers amazing outdoor experiences year-round, we really see the community taking advantage of the State Library Parks Pass in the summer,” said Catherine Quffa, Library and Recreation Director for the City of San Rafael. 

In the past two years, the California State Library Parks Pass has been checked out more than 7,000 times from the San Francisco Public Library.

“People love their parks and their libraries,” said Michael Lambert, City Librarian for the City and County of San Francisco. “The California State Library Parks Pass program has been a real gamechanger for our local residents in their ability to get outdoors and take advantage of all the incredible destinations across our state. This essential parks pass has increased access and enhanced quality of life for youth and families, and older adults and seniors who live on fixed incomes. As the cost of living has risen, hampering individuals’ level of discretionary income for important recreation and leisure opportunities, our community has come to rely on this vital service for access to California’s State Parks.”

Governor Newsom's California for All vision emphasizes equity across all state programs. As part of that vision, the California Natural Resources Agency’s recently finalized “Outdoors for All” framework lays out goals for expanding parks in communities lacking outdoor spaces, supporting access programs, and fostering a sense of belonging for all Californians in the outdoors. In 2021, the Governor and First Partner, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, championed three pass pilot programs as a way to make progress on these ambitious plans: the California State Library Parks Pass, the California State Park Adventure Pass, and the Golden Bear Pass. Funding is included in the Governor’s proposed budget for the California State Park Adventure Pass and the Golden Bear Pass.

Last year, the California State Parks Foundation released compelling survey data highlighting the success of the California State Library Parks Pass program. The survey yielded these key insights which show the impact and importance of the program:

• A majority of respondents (63%) previously considered cost to be their main reason for not having visited state parks previously.
• Thanks to the park pass program, a staggering 90% of respondents now plan to visit state parks over seven times a year.
•  Nearly 70% of the survey’s respondents indicated an income level of $60,000 or less.
•  Over 63% of respondents indicated that they are Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC).
   

“It is incomprehensible that, after all the hard work to create and start administering this popular program, and documented success in achieving a key policy goal of the Newsom Administration, that the California State Library Parks Pass would lose funding,” said Norton. “We urge the Governor and the Legislature to restore this funding immediately.”

California State Parks Foundation is calling on legislators to restore $3 million for the California State Library Parks Pass program which equates to about 50% of its current funding level. If funding is not restored, park passes will not be available for check-out at libraries after December 31, 2024.

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