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How to Write a Letter about California State Park Closures

How to Write a Letter about California State Park Closures

I just taught my 3rd grader how to write a letter about California State Parks closures.  I thought it was a valuable lesson in social studies, persuasive letter writing, and park advocacy for him — and it was a good refresher for me. Here are the tools I provided before he drafted the letter:

This is the letter my 9 year old mailed to the Governor last week, before the 70 park closures were announced. My son’s recent fascination with the Thesaurus is glaringly apparent, but he already has a great vocabulary and the Scholastic lesson directed him to use “power words!”

Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento  CA  95814

Dear Governor Brown,

I am writing you this letter to address the ample budget cuts taking place in the state parks.  I am 9 years old and have a Junior Ranger badge in two parks: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Upper Newport Bay Preserve.  I’m afraid the state parks are going to close. This would be bad for the state because “with over 72 million visits annually, state parks bring in more than $4 billion in tourism and tourist-related activity throughout California. Each visitor spends on average of $57.63 per visit.” (Park Excellence Project Report)

Besides the money issue, I have other notable reasons for why the state parks should not become part of the budget cuts or become closed.  Most of the things that make California California are in the state parks, from the redwood trees to Pfeiffer Falls in Big Sur.  If the state parks were closed, the redwoods could be cut down to make a place for developers and people who think they’d make money from the land or from selling unique natural resources.  I think the parks would be overgrown with weeds and graffiti and people would not want to live near these areas. It makes me cry just to think about it.

I love the state parks because:

  • when I’m in them you feel like I’m the only one there no matter how many people are in the park.
  • they are one of the few places in California where I can go and basically take a step back in time.
  • the wildlife there is amazingly abundant.
  • what I learn in a state park I cannot learn in a classroom or by watching some documentary.
  • they feel so welcoming.
  • some people from different countries come to California just to see our state parks.

I admire your record in helping the environment: adding land to the state parks, protecting California’s coastline, and recycling programs.  I have one idea to help the state parks fulfill their need of funding:
The state parks could grow fruits and vegetables if they are in a moderate region – or if they are in the desert they could grow date palm. Yum! The parks could sell the produce because people want fresh fruit and to help the state parks.
I wish I had more ideas, but I’m only 9 and not completely solid with how the government works and what the state budget is. Hopefully, you will represent what I want to happen which is that the state parks become better than they already are.

Best regards,
(He was very excited about using “best regards” as a sign off!)

There are currently 278 state parks in California and a good percentage are already operating on reduced staff, reduced services, or reduced hours open to the public. Here is an interactive map of the Planned 2011 California State Park Closures from the California State Parks Foundation.  Consult calparks.org to learn other ways to Take Action.

Deana Scott

Tuesday 12th of July 2011

While this was a great idea to teach your child how to write a letter to a politician, I doubt it will carry any weight. You simply are asking him not to cut funds, however you did not offer a solution. In our community of Carmichael, California we have a program called, "Adopt a Park" where the local residents come out and weed, sweep, clean, do janitorial duties, whatever it takes to keep the park clean, safe and most of all, open to the community.

I think California and America needs to climb on board this type of program. Instead of everyone complaining about cuts to things that they want, how about volunteering to help keep them open. I would much rather see our governor cut funds to a state park, than to disabled seniors or any other programs that help humans daily lives. We all want our parks to stay open, and to keep programs for our seniors and etc. but come on folks, the state cannot climb out of this by itself!

What this state, no, the entire country really needs, is a good old fashioned dose of "Patriotism!" When WWII broke out, the people in this country did not stand around their capitols and scream, "Don't take my programs", no they stood together and said, "What can we do to help the effort?" Now is the time for Californians and all Americans to stand together, join forces and do whatever we can to help the effort! Perhaps a new campaign should be, "Adopt America, how can you help?" Why not volunteer rangers in our state parks? Not forever, but at least until California is back on track and can afford this type of program again. It is not my intention to undermine you teaching your child how to write a very important type of letter, I just feel that an offered solution makes a greater statement. Respectfully, Deana Samuel-Scott

Michele

Tuesday 12th of July 2011

Dear Deana,

Thanks for commenting on my State Parks letter post. I appreciate the opportunity to hear your voice on the issue. I love your ideas for volunteering in our parks -- something many of us who love these parks already do. Carmichael is very lucky to have such a program. I know other cities have a group of citizens who come out on their ride-on mowers to care for the parks.

My son does offer a solution when he says: "With over 72 million visits annually, state parks bring in more than $4 billion in tourism and tourist-related activity throughout California. Each visitor spends on average of $57.63 per visit." The $22 million needed to keep the state parks open is only .01% of the total budget. He's saying that the parks bring more money to the state than they cost. Closing them doesn't make sense. Every dollar spent on an entitlement program does not provide a similar return to state coffers.

Unfortunately, volunteering is not an option if the parks are closed. They would be inaccessible to the public. I believe their level of preservation and value would never recover. The state has already established their willingness to sell or dispose of state properties in their previous budget proposals - and I fear the same end for state park properties in the future.

Keep your eyes on AB 42 which would allow for non-profits to enter into agreements with parks and help operate them. Just what you were talking about!

Again, thank you so much for the time it took for you to share your thoughts with me and my readers - and to come up with some possible solutions.

Michele

Jen {Tiny Oranges}

Monday 16th of May 2011

Love this post - so helpful and informative. Anyone in California who loves visiting State Parks should write a letter. Such an important issue! Thanks for sharing, it makes it easier to have an idea of what to write.

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