photo credit: California State Parks

A California State Parks program that provides low-income and underserved residents free state park access was saved from the state budget chopping block, according to the California State Parks Foundation.

The California State Library Parks Pass is a state-funded program that allows library cardholders to borrow park passes from their local library, providing them free access to over 200 participating state parks, the foundation said recently.

Passes are returned to the library by a set date, just like a borrowed book.

The program was created by Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom as part of their California for All program, which seeks to provide opportunities to underserved communities across the state.

The program is managed by the California State Library in conjunction with California State Parks.

The California State Parks Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the state's park system through lobbying, fundraising, volunteering, and programming, said that the program has loaned 38,000 passes through 1,100 public libraries across the state to over 8,000 Californians since its launch in 2021.

A 2023 foundation survey reports that 63% of the program participants cited cost as the primary barrier for visiting state parks. Day-use fees at state parks average $5 to $35 per vehicle.

At face value, the pass would cost around $195 to purchase.

Of the survey respondents, nearly 70% reported household incomes below $60,000 and over 63% identify as people of color.

The survey also reported that 90% of participants planned to visit parks more than seven times a year thanks to the pass.

The program was going to end Dec. 31 if the state Legislature did not continue to fund it, the foundation said. It was at risk of being discontinued as the state Legislature sought to reduce a $12 billion budget deficit.

On Friday, Governor Newsom signed the state budget, which included $6.75 million to fund the program through 2026.

"The California State Library Parks Pass is one of the smartest access policies we've seen," said Rachel Norton, executive director of the foundation. "low-cost, high-impact, and deeply aligned with equity goals. By restoring funding, California is reaffirming that public lands should be truly accessible to all."

More information about the California State Library Parks Pass can be found at https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30806.