SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks is extending the application deadline for Round 4 of the?Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program?(SPP) from Dec. 14, 2020, to March 12, 2021. For this round, there is $395.3 million in Proposition 68 competitive grant funding available to cities, counties, nonprofit organizations, local districts and joint powers authorities to create new parks and recreational opportunities. Applications must be submitted through an?online application system at parks.ca.gov/spp by the new deadline.  

Borrego Springs, Calif.—Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (Anza-Borrego) and the Anza-Borrego Foundation (ABF) are excited to announce a new partnership with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics for the upcoming 2020/2021 desert season. This new partnership and the Leave No Trace Initiative will encourage and educate new and returning visitors to Anza-Borrego to care for the local desert and public lands through the “Seven Principles of Leave No Trace”, available in English and Spanish. The initiative also reminds the public on their role to slow the spread of COVID-19. With many activities limited during the pandemic, outdoor public spaces have been essential to many Californians. As a result, California State Parks and partners are expecting high visitation and increased use with the beginning of the desert season this month through March/April of next year.

California State Parks in cooperation with the California Department of Forestry and Fire protection (CAL FIRE) plan to conduct a prescribed burn Thursday, November 12, 2020, in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. This burn is part of the series of prescription burns planned for the park this year and will be dependent on weather conditions and resources.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks today announced recommendations for $5.6 million in funding for eight local non-motorized trail projects under the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Funding from this program helps improve the quality of life for the nation’s communities by providing access for all to the outdoors.

SACRAMENTO, Calf. — In partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and before a virtual audience of family members and friends, California State Parks graduated nine cadets to park rangers in a ceremony held in October by the CDFW Academy. The new rangers will join the 33 rangers and eight lifeguards who graduated in July 2020 from State Parks’ Basic Visitor Services Training (BVST) Academy.

California State Parks is honoring the service of veterans, as well as active and reserve personnel, by offering free admission to 133 state parks on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California State Historical Resources Commission (Commission) invites the public to participate in its next commission meeting being held virtually on Friday, November 6 at 9 a.m. A total of 14 nominations will be considered by the commissioners -- 11 nominations for federal historic designation and three nominations for state historic designation.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks today announced a three-phased reopening plan for vehicular use at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) and Pismo State Beach (SB), starting Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. Vehicular access to all state park units was closed in March to prevent visitation surges and help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

California State Parks is asking visitors to be cautious while enjoying Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (SRA), as low water levels have left four of the five boat ramps dry. There will also be a 5 mph maximum speed limit established for the entire lake starting this Thursday, October 22, for public safety due to hazards and the low water conditions.

California State Parks and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced that the utility company is helping Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (SRA) recover from the North Complex Fire by removing hazardous trees and installing erosion control measures at three recreational sites.