The Bay Area is a cradle of environmentalism and a region with a rich trove of health and medical research and resources. In this blog, we’ll report on the deepening understanding of how the places we inhabit and the lifestyles we adopt contribute to our own health and the health of our communities.
An effort to raise at least $500,000 is under way in hopes of saving Portola Redwoods and Castle Rock state parks from becoming victims of California's budget crisis. As part of the state's plans to shutter 70 parks by next July, the two Bay Area parks are scheduled to be closed.
The Portola and Castle Rock Foundation hopes to pay the state to keep the two local parks open. "We need to raise funds in the next few months or we will lose these park jewels forever," said Judy Grote, president of the foundation in a statement.
Portola Redwoods in San Mateo County is a natural basin forested with redwoods, oaks and firs, including 18 miles of trails and a 53 site campground. Castle Rock, which is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is popular with rock-climbers, hikers and horseback riders.
A similar campaign focused on saving the 87,000-acre Henry W. Coe State Park near Morgan Hill succeeded in raising enough cash to ensure that the park will remain open at least another three years. The Coe Park Preservation Fund will pay the state $300,000 a year to keep the park open.
© The Bay Citizen, 2012
George Smith
But plenty of money for our corrupt prison system!