為大幅削減本州財政預算，加利福尼亞州州長阿諾德．施瓦辛格擬議關閉278個加州所有公園中的48個。此議案一經提出，便遭到了廣大議員的強烈反對。同時與之形成鮮明諷刺的，這位州長大人在2007年還曾籤署通過《兒童的戶外權益法案》並宣稱"鼓勵家長、學校及其他相關組織引領加州的孩子們多參加戶外活動，多親近大自然"。
美國戶外聯合會在研究中發現加州人最喜好戶外運動。在這份名為《未來戶外運動參加者》的報告中指出，2006年有15.5%的加州居民參加了戶外活動，而同期美國全國這一比例僅為10.7%。在這470萬的驢友當中，其中260萬人的活動是在加州國家自然公園進行的。事實上，在加州所有公園內參加戶外活動的人數要遠高於在聯邦政府或當地政府所有的公園。
此外，這些公園也是加州經濟的一個重要組成部分，如果關閉48個公園，政府稅收勢必受到消極影響。
加州是全美最活躍的戶外娛樂經濟中心，每年經濟貢獻率達460億美元，提供408,000個就業崗位，州政府每年也因此增加稅收達31億美元。其中過半的收入來自短途旅行。《未來戶外運動參加者》報告指出，這些短途旅行很多都是在加州所有的自然公園中度過的。
加州公園聯合會發表聲明，強烈抨擊了施瓦辛格欲關閉48個公園的議案。但一部分議員表示為維持公園的正常運營他們支持提高門票的價格的舉措。
原文：Governor Schwarzenegger Seeks to Close 48 California State Parks
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed closing 48 of the 278 state parks as part of his plan to drastically cut the California state budget.
His plan is already meeting stiff resistance from some California state legislators and is contrary to a 2007 proclamation signed by Schwarzenegger called the "Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights." During the proclamation signing the governor said, "I encourage parents, eduCATors, and other concerned citizens to do all they can to help our state's children experience and enjoy the wonders of Mother Nature."
Outdoor Foundation research finds California residents to be among the most active. The survey for The Next Generation of Outdoor Participants found that 15.5% of Californians hiked in 2006, compared to the national average of 10.7%. Of the 4.7 million California hikers, 2.6 million hiked in a state park in 2006. In fact, Californians hiked in state parks more than parks owned by federal and local governments.
California state parks are also a vital part of the state's economy and it could be argued that their closure could negatively impact tax revenue.
California has the largest active outdoor recreation Eeonomy in the United States, contributing $46 billion annually to the state's economy, supporting 408,000 jobs and generating $3.1 billion in annual state tax revenue. Over one-half of the economic contribution comes from day trips. The Next Generation survey shows that many of these day trips were spent at state parks.
The California State Parks Foundation released a statement denouncing the closures and cut-backs. And state lawmakers admit that they may have to support an increase in park visitation fees to keep the parks open.