Today California State Parks System announced the closure of 70 state parks as the result of state budget cuts. The closures are necessary to resolve an $11 million reduction for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, and another $22 million the following fiscal year. State Park officials stated parks were chosen based on attendance rates and historical significance.

The Brown Administration made clear that even more parks could be closed in an effort to balance the state’s current $15.2 billion deficit. The list released today assumes that lawmakers will put the governor supported tax extensions on the ballot, and that voters will approve them. If either of those assumptions does not happen, Californians should prepare themselves for even more cuts.