California is planning to expand its state park system with three new parks in the Central Valley, an initiative announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Earth Day. The California State Parks has launched a public survey to gather input on the proposed locations: Dust Bowl Camp in Bakersfield (Kern County), San Joaquin River Parkway spanning Fresno and Madera counties, and Feather River Park in Olivehurst (Yuba County).
The State Parks Forward Survey will remain open until September 4 and is expected to take between five and ten minutes to complete. Residents can offer opinions on one or all of the proposed parks. This expansion, if realized, would bring California's total number of state parks to 238, exceeding the number in any other U.S. state. Washington and New York currently have fewer parks, with approximately 212 and 180 to 215, respectively.
The initiative also aims to increase the state's parkland by around 30,000 acres by the end of this decade. "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," Newsom stated during the April announcement.
Two of the proposed parks, Dust Bowl Camp and San Joaquin River Parkway, are situated near or along the route of the California High-Speed Rail project. The Dust Bowl Camp holds historical significance as it inspired John Steinbeck's 1939 novel "The Grapes of Wrath." The future park is intended to honor the history of the Dust Bowl era and farmworkers, though specific details of this commemoration are not yet available.
The initial phase of the High-Speed Rail project, connecting San Francisco to Anaheim via the Central Valley, is projected to begin service by 2032. The proximity of the new parks to this major transportation corridor could potentially increase their visibility and accessibility. Together, the rail line and new parks are expected to enhance access to rivers and open spaces for communities in the Central Valley.