NEWS CLIPS

Weekly Digest: June 28, 2024

The Weekly Digest includes a collection of news articles related to the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The views expressed and opinions do not always reflect that of the department.

State Parks signs agreement with Big Valley Tribe for Clear Lake State Park use, collaboration: KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — California State Parks officials gathered with members of the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians on Friday to celebrate a new collaborative agreement meant to support greater use of the park by the tribe, whose leaders said it is part of their original homeland. Elizabeth Larson, Lake County News, June 22, 2024

California hiker ate berries to survive for nine days while lost in Santa Cruz Mountains: Lukas McClish, 34, left for what he thought would be a three-hour hike on June 11 in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Catherine Ho, SF Chronicle, June 22, 2024

'A time for grief': A fixture of California's coastline has disappeared: The 100-year-old palm trees that formed the iconic backdrop of Refugio State Beach in Central California have become a thing of the past after park officials determined they posed a risk to visitors and severe damage from recent winter storms made it unlikely for them to survive. Amanda Bartlett, SFGate, June 23, 2024

Heat doesn't stop crowds from celebrating Juneteenth at Black Miners Bar: Triple degree heat didn’t deter droves of people from turning out for this year’s Juneteenth celebration at Black Miners Bar in Folsom. Thousands of people were expected to attend the festival, which was a community effort produced by California State Parks and Friends of Lakes Folsom and Natoma (FOLFAN), and a wide range of community sponsors. Midori Sperandeo, Gold Country Media, June 23, 2024

Malibu Search & Rescue Team sets new record amid extreme heat: The Malibu Search and Rescue Team was extraordinarily busy on Sunday afternoon with a series of rescues that amounted to the team’s “busiest four-hour period” on record, officials said. Marc Sternfield, KTLA 5, June 24, 2024

Hike of the week: A journey through Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is the perfect kick-off to summer: A hike at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a quintessential San Diego activity for the first week of summer. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, June 24, 2024

How to get into California state parks for free this year: Californians can once again get access to hundreds of the state’s parks for free through at least December 2025 after the state legislature restored a popular program. Travis Schlepp, KTLA5, June 24, 2024

Following advocacy effort by California State Parks Foundation, funding for State Library Parks Pass program is restored: June 24, 2024 - SACRAMENTO, CA – California State Parks Foundation today announced the restoration of funding for a popular state park access program, the California State Library Parks Pass. Over the weekend, the Legislature and the Governor reached a joint budget deal that restores one year of funding or $6.75 million for this program. Sierra Sun Times, June 24, 2024

Missing hiker found after 10 days lost in Big Basin Redwoods State Park: A California man spent ten days stranded in the Santa Cruz Mountains after getting lost during what he anticipated would be a three-hour hike. Active NorCal, June 24, 2024

Funding for State Library Parks Pass program is restored: California State Parks Foundation announced on June 24 the restoration of funding for a popular state park access program, the California State Library Parks Pass. Fullerton Observer, June 24, 2024

Newsom budget deal: Popular library State Parks program likely will survive: A popular library program that allows free access to California state parks will likely survive through 2025, thanks to a $6.75 million infusion of general funds for the program included in a joint budget deal reached this weekend between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state legislature. Janet Wilson, Desert Sun, June 24, 2024

Governor and legislature restore funding for library-based Parks Pass program in latest budget proposal: SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On Monday, the California State Parks Foundation announced the restoration of one year of funding for the California State Library Parks Pass program during budget negotiations over the weekend. Andrew Gillies, News Channel 3-12, June 24, 2024

Massive sewage spill prompts beach closures along California’s central coast: Beach closures were in effect after an estimated 7,600 gallons of sewage were released into Morro Bay Harbor on Sunday, San Luis Obispo County officials said. TMX, KTLA5, June 24, 2024

State Parks appoints Rod Wallin as new CIO: Rod Wallin has been appointed as the new Chief Information Officer for the California Department of Parks and Recreation, a department spokesperson confirmed. A veteran technology professional, Wallin brings more than 25 years of experience in the technology industry to his new role. govreport, June 25, 2024

Pile burning in Morro Bay State Park through Thursday: Firefighters are conducting a prescribed burn in Morro Bay from Tuesday, June 25 through Thursday, June 27. Approximately 80 brush piles will be burned around Black Hill, including areas along Quintana Road and La Loma Avenue. Katherine Worsham, KSBY Central Coast, June 25, 2024

California Division of Boating and Waterways accepting grants for clean waterways: California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting grant applications for the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Education and Outreach Grant Program. Adam Quandt, Boating Industry, June 25, 2024

CA Parks Pass: California leaders pledged $6.75 million to fund another year of the program that allows people to check out state parks passes at libraries. The program was previously on the chopping block. Jill Replogle, LAist, June 25, 2024

Libraries can still offer free passes to California parks, thanks to budget deal: Californians can once again borrow a pass from their local library to gain free entry to a state park. Jireh Deng, LA Times, June 25, 2024

22 additional bike turnouts under construction at Mount Diablo State Park: California State Parks, in partnership with the California State Parks Foundation, Mount Diablo Cyclists, and community donors, began construction on June 3, on 22 new bike turnouts at Mount Diablo State Park (SP). Clint Elsholz, The Antioch Herald, June 25, 2024

2 dead after being swept down North Fork American River, officials say: California (KCRA) -- A man and teenage boy have died and another teenager was rescued after all three were swept downstream on the North Fork American River on Monday, California State Parks officials said. Lindsay Weber, Kake.com, June 25, 2024

3 people have drowned in this section of the American River this year: AUBURN, Calif. — A family has lost two of their own after being swept away by the water in the Middle Fork of the American River in Auburn. Roxanne Elias, ABC10 (Sacramento), June 25, 2024

Visiting a California state park this summer? Here are 3 ways to get in free: California residents can access hundreds of state parks for free this summer, thanks to a trio of programs. Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee; The Tribune, June 26, 2024

Funding for popular California State Parks Library Pass restored: The California State Parks Foundation has announced the restoration of funding for the California State Library Parks Pass program. A joint budget deal will allocate $6.75 million to sustain the program through December 31, 2025. Active NorCal, June 26, 2024

Meet the park ranger, dog credited in rescue of missing hiker in Santa Cruz mountains: SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- State Park ranger Brett Weber and his K-9 Rino were the first team to reach a missing at-risk hiker who had been lost in the Santa Cruz mountains for 10 days last week. Lauren Martinez, ABC7, June 26, 2024

Salvage crews complete recovery of Aleutian Storm, and find a surprise: The last of the wreckage of the Aleutian Storm has been hauled away from south Salmon Creek Beach after final salvage operations that yielded a surprise about the boat’s construction that helps explain some of the challenges when it ran aground. Mary Callahan, Press Democrat, June 26, 2024

New bike path opens in Plumas Lake: Residents and community leaders celebrated the opening of a new bike path in west Plumas Lake with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday. The nearly-half mile stretch begins on the south end of Atherton Way and contributes to the existing five miles of bike paths throughout Plumas Lake. Michaela Harris, The Appeal Democrat, June 26, 2024

California State Parks encourages visitors to recreate safely and responsibly during Fourth of July weekend: SACRAMENTO, Calif. June 27, 2024 – This Fourth of July weekend California State Parks invites all Californians and visitors from around the world to celebrate the holiday in its parks and to recreate responsibly. YubaNet.com, June 27, 2024

Young adults shape California’s newest state park: Dos Rios, California’s newest state park, opened to the public in mid-June. Adjacent to two rivers and a wildlife refuge, the park is packed with scenic views and opportunities to explore nature. Oakdale Leader, June 27, 2024

Malibu Search and Rescue saves hikers in scorching heat over the weekend: On Sunday, June 23, Malibu Search & Rescue had the team’s busiest afternoon with four successive rescues between 3 and 7 p.m. Malibu Search & Rescue, LA County Fire Department and California State Parks teamed up to rescue four patients. Malibu Times, June 27, 2024

California kicks off State Parks Week as new state park opens in Central Valley: SACRAMENTO – As California's newest State Park, Dos Rios, officially opened to the public June 12, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring June 12-16 as California State Parks Week. Located in the San Joaquin Valley outside of Modesto, Dos Rios is the first new State Park since 2014. Village News, June 27, 2024

Sempervirens Fund launches Trail Prescription Program: SANTA CRUZ — The Sempervirens Fund land trust announced the launch of its Trails Prescription Program or Trails Rx, which encourages community members to take a hike on specific trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains chosen to boost mental and physical health. Aric Sleeper, Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 27, 2024

California’s second-largest reservoir is not as big as everyone thought: Lake Oroville may be the largest state-run reservoir in California, but water officials just learned it’s not as big as they thought. Kurtis Alexander, SF Chronicle, June 27, 2024

Plan for L.A. River-adjacent Bowtie Park movies forward: An initial study published by the California Department of Parks and Recreation reveals more on plans to activate plans for 18 acres of new park space next to the Los Angeles River. Steven Sharp, Urbanize LA, June 28, 2024