California is a public lands paradise, with the most national parks (nine) and state parks (280) in the country. Soon, there will be even more outdoor recreation areas.
On April 22, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a major expansion of the state park system, adding three new parks and enlarging several others. As the public land policy on the federal level moves toward extraction and commercialization, California is the latest state to reinvest in conservation at the local level.
What’s New
In a press conference on Wednesday, Newsom announced his new State Parks Forward plan. The project is part of his broader 30×30 initiative, which aims to conserve 30% of the state’s land and waters by 2030.
The plan adds three new state parks in the state’s Central Valley, an area close to Fresno. The first, Feather River Park, covers about 2,000 acres and would provide ample recreation and boating opportunities on its namesake river.
The next park, San Joaquin River Parkway, would turn multiple local and state properties into an 874-acre park along the major waterway. It would provide hiking, water recreation, and a citrus farm.
The final one, Dust Bowl Camp, would preserve an important piece of California history. It’s home to the Sunset Migratory Labor Camp, one of the first federal camps for farm laborers displaced by the Dust Bowl. It was the source of inspiration for John Steinbeck’s seminal work The Grapes of Wrath. It will also serve as an educational resource for students and the public.
The land for all three parks is already publicly held by a variety of local and county bodies. According to California State Parks, the state should be able to acquire the land at “little to no cost.”
What’s Next
The first step in creating the three new parks is the public engagement process, where California State Parks will hear from locals and other stakeholders. From there, the department will submit a report to Newsom with recommendations and future steps.
Expanding Parks
Another key component of the plan is expanding the size of existing state parks.
The state is working with local land trusts and conservation agencies to grow the parks at a low cost. In total, the state hopes to add 30,000 acres in the next decade. Multiple projects are in the works, but recently approved deals include:
- 453 acres to Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve, a major area for giant redwoods.
- 218 acres to South Yuba River State Park, home to historic Gold Rush sites.
- 133 acres to Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, a scenic area of coastline near San Jose.
The Larger Context
California isn’t the only state to make large investments in public lands recently. In 2023, Texas voters overwhelmingly approved a $1 billion endowment to establish new parks. Since then, the state has acquired three new state parks totaling 58,838 acres.
Newsom, a frequent Trump critic, explicitly framed the project as an effort to counter the Trump administration’s public land policies, which include cuts to the National Park Service and expansions of mining, drilling, and logging on federal land.
“As Trump sells out America’s national parks, California is doubling down on protecting the Golden State’s natural beauties,” Newsom said. “Today, through the State Parks Forward initiative, we’re expanding our parks system with three new state parks, creating new outdoor recreation opportunities for Central Valley communities, and deepening our conservation commitments, and preserving our lands for generations of Californians to come.”
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