Statewide Region Local News: Parks & Recreation

All Local Parks & Recreation News articles contributed by our local media allies and other local newsrooms.

Image caption: The Baldwin Hills area in South Los Angeles is one region where a state conservancy would keep open land accessible to the public.

STATEWIDE EXPLAINER

California’s 10 State Conservancies: How They Protect Parks and Open Land

How California’s 10 state conservancies buy up open land and shield it from developers to preserve the natural environment for public use.

Image caption: There are more than 300 community service districts in California.

STATEWIDE EXPLAINER

Community Services Districts, Explained

Community service districts can do most anything a city government can do. Here’s how they work and how to start one.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

Art, Culture & Media Environment Parks & Recreation

BloomTracker: Wildflower Finder & Protector From Hilltromper

03/24/2024
Image for display with article titled BloomTracker: Wildflower Finder & Protector from Hilltromper

Over at Hilltromper, “The Nature-worshiping, Fun-Loving Adventure Guide” that serves the South Bay Area, Santa Cruz County, and anyone who visits these beautiful places, our friend Mike Kahn has just launched a new product he named BloomTracker—“an online resource that helps you find the best places to see wildflowers, in real time, and helps reduce impacts on parks and other open spaces.”

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

Education Families & Children Parks & Recreation

Our Students Need More Recess

03/20/2024
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More frequent outdoor breaks can improve student attention, reduce behavior problems.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

Art, Culture & Media Families & Children Parks & Recreation

20 Free Things to Do in Sacramento County

02/25/2024
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Home to the state capital, Sacramento County offers many amusements for visitors and locals alike. But only some require no cash outlay.

From YubaNet...

Parks & Recreation State of California

California State Parks Recommends $6.7 Million in Grants for Local Recreational Trails

02/06/2024
California State Parks has recommended $6.7 million for seven local nonmotorized trail projects in various cities, including Galt and Gilroy.

From Los Angeles Times...

Business, Economy & Jobs Parks & Recreation

Disneyland’s New Vision Includes Up to $2.5-billion Investment and Plan to Take Over City Streets

01/26/2024
Disneyland’s plan to reimagine the theme park into a more “immersive” experience may require up to $2.5 billion and a plan to privatize some Anaheim streets.

From SFGate...

Business, Economy & Jobs Families & Children Parks & Recreation Government

Fourth Graders Might Lose Free Access to California State Parks

01/12/2024
California’s projected budget deficit of close to $38 billion likely means some cuts are coming. Among them, Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed ending the California State Park Adventure Pass, which offers free access to some state parks for fourth graders.

From SFGate...

Environment Parks & Recreation Sustainability

Yosemite Trying New Strategies to Reduce Food Packaging Waste

12/11/2023
An estimated 100,000 pizza boxes have been removed from Yosemite’s waste stream. This is because the famed park now serves pizza on trays and puts to-go portions in compostable bags, part of a move to reduce food-related waste.

From Capital & Main...

Families & Children Parks & Recreation

Utility Increases Loom for 16 Million California Households

11/30/2023
Utility giant PG&E is set to raise its rates an average of 13% on Jan. 1. That equals an extra $32.50 a month, or $390 for the year.

From YubaNet...

Parks & Recreation Sustainability

Natural Resources Agency Launches Plan to Increase Outdoor Access in California

11/15/2023
State and local leaders gathered in Los Angeles to celebrate a new plan that will increase access to the outdoors for all Californians, regardless of who they are or where they live.

From CapPublicRadio...

Parks & Recreation State of California

How to Visit a California State Park for Free

11/12/2023
A pilot program that allows Californians to visit many state parks for free—after checking out a pass from their local library—is helping increase access for more people of color and lower-income residents, according to research from the California State Parks Foundation.

From SFGate...

Parks & Recreation

Beachside Trail Close to Finally Getting Built on Central Coast

11/07/2023
A beachside trail connecting the communities of Morro Bay and Cayucos could finally be built after 20 years. This happened after Chevron decided to sell land needed for the trail to be built.

From SFGate...

Business, Economy & Jobs Parks & Recreation

What a Theme Park Giant Merger Means for California

11/05/2023
Two theme park giants, Six Flags and Cedar Fair, announced they are merging. It could have potential impacts on California theme parks like Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

From MiceChat...

Parks & Recreation History

Two Disneyland Voices Are Moving On

10/27/2023
Camille Dixon, the announcer for Disney California Adventure, and her husband, Bill Rogers, the voice of Disneyland, are moving on from this work. They have been at the parks for more than 40 years combined.

From YubaNet...

Art & Culture Parks & Recreation

California State Parks and Partners Launch ‘Arts in California Parks’ Program

10/26/2023
Through this new program, artists, culture bearers, and California Native American tribes will be eligible to receive funding to create artwork throughout state and local parks.

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Environment Parks & Recreation

15 Sites Where You Can Learn About Beautiful Sights

10/15/2023
Image for display with article titled Where to Find State Parks, National Forests, Heritage Sites, Open Space and More

California has a wealth of natural resources managed by the feds, the state, and nonprofit organizations

From CapPublicRadio...

Environment Parks & Recreation

Vast Marine Sanctuary Proposed in Partnership with California Tribe

08/27/2023
The Biden administration is one step away from designating the first national marine sanctuary nominated by a tribe. Tribal members of the Chumash, who have lobbied for the creation of this Central Coast preserve for more than a decade, would be involved in managing it.

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Parks & Recreation History Government

Hidden History in the Birthplace of California

07/08/2023
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Pam Marino of Monterey County Weekly reports that the city government there is grappling with a unique problem: How to provide access to the places that make Monterey “the most historic city in California.”

From YubaNet...

Environment Parks & Recreation Sustainability

California Legislature Passes Joshua Tree Protection Law

06/28/2023
California lawmakers passed the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, permanently protecting the iconic and imperiled species.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Parks & Recreation History United States

President Biden Announces New National Monument Near Nevada-California Border

11/29/2022
Avi Kwa Ame National Monument will protect sacred Native American sites, wildlife.

From CapRadio...

Environment Parks & Recreation State of California

How Wildfires Are Transforming California’s Landscapes

08/21/2022
All over California, wildfires have ravaged iconic landscapes. Places that once seemed permanent are disappearing—and researchers are having to rethink how best to protect them.

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