View of Point Lobos State Park. Source: Pointlobos.org

In June of 2012, the state of California faced financial challenges that endangered the preservation of its state parks. At the end of June of that year, 70 of the state’s parks were scheduled to close. Point Lobos State Park was not on that list, fortunately, though others surrounding it faced closure. Three parks in the Monterey District were on that list: Garrapata State Park, Moss Landing State Beach and Zmudowski State Beach. In order to prevent this massive amount of closures, Governor Jerry Brown worked with local governments and signed a bill that distributed funds to these parks. Because of their efforts, 65 of the 70 parks remain open. The state’s deficit reached $15.7 billion in 2012, but the cuts to state parks would only save the state $22 million – which seems a small amount in comparison. Luckily, Governor Brown and local officials were able to secure a deal that protects the 65 endangered parks.

Fortunately for the Carmel and Monterey community, Point Lobos never faced closure during this troubling time. But like many parks statewide, Point Lobos still must address a difficult financial task in the months and years ahead. It is vital that Point Lobos remain open to the public for all of the beneficial services that it provides. The park currently trains 165 docents to maintain the park, and must financially support trail maintenance and improvements each year. These are necessary measures to allow the public to continue to enjoy the park’s breathtaking views and spectacular scenery. Another important aspect of work done at Point Lobos is preventing the invasion of non-native species into the park, where they could harm native species. This and other important ecological work are daily responsibilities of the park’s employees. Finally, Point Lobos offers a host of educational programs for over 5,000 students each year. Point Lobos constantly seeks to reach out to students to educate them about the natural diversity of the Point Lobos habitat. This service is certainly a vital aspect of the community benefits of Point Lobos.

These and many other services of Point Lobos State Park should ensure that the park be safe from future budget cuts. But the financial future of the state remains unclear, and community and statewide support for Point Lobos, and all other state parks, must stay constant. If the public remains in support of California’s state parks, we can continue to enjoy their many scenic views, diverse wildlife and plant life, and the numerous benefits they offer to the community.