State parks slated to close find new funding

SACRAMENTO (KABC) -- Some California state parks slated for closing due to budget cutbacks are now expected to stay open, according to the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

State budget cuts forced 70 California parks onto a list of closures targeted to take place this summer. Eleven of those 70 have been saved by agreements in place with local and federal government agencies to fund them.

There were ongoing negotiations to save about 40 other parks on the list, according to Michael Harris, acting chief deputy director for Parks and Recreation.

Some of the parks so far saved were funded by the National Park Service, by the city of Colusa, and by a private donor who gave $300,000.

The state has 278 parks, beaches and historic sites. The 70 selected were scheduled to close in order to save an annual $11 million.

Harris said he expects the remaining parks to be run through cooperation agreements with for-profit concessionaires and nonprofit organizations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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