Calif. Finds Alternative to Closing State Parks - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The Schwarzenegger administration has backed off its threat to close dozens of California state parks by saying it has found other ways to save money.

The plan announced by the governor's office Friday calls for saving $12.1 million by reducing maintenance and halting purchases of vehicles and other equipment.

Another $2.1 million will be saved by cutting an undetermined number of positions and reducing hours and days of operation at many parks. Some parks will close on weekdays and open only on weekends.

California's park system attracts 80 million visitors a year but has been subject to the state's fiscal crisis, like almost every other area of state government.

In May, Schwarzenegger proposed cutting $70 million in general fund support for the system and warned that 220 of the 279 parks would close.

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