Some Local State Parks are Cutting Back Hours

Here, is an article from the Orange County Register, in case you missed it. Several local state parks hours are changing due to state budget cuts. The following is the majority of the Orange County Register Article. For the full article click Here.

State parks will be cutting back hours and days they are open as part of state budget cuts. Parks will remain open during high-use times around the weekends and holidays and will be closed in the middle of the week, when parks have fewer visitors, said Ron Krueper, Inland Empire District Superintendent. “The cost to operate and staff a state park on a non-peak week day is significant,” he said. “And that cost will not be offset by the minimal amount of fees collected at park entrances for day use and Camping.” These state parks will be open fewer hours and days starting Oct. 1: 

Lake Perris State Recreation Area: The park will be closed for day use and camping Tuesdays and Wednesdays through April 30. The park will be open Thursdays through Mondays and on holidays through April 30. Park day-use hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park has stayed open until 8 p.m. From May 1, to Sept. 30, the park will again be open seven days a week with day-use hours changed to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Oct. 1, 2012, the park will return to the same weekday service reduction cycle for 2012/13. 

Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area: The park will be closed for day use and camping Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 30. The park will be open for day use and camping Fridays through Tuesdays and holidays until April 30. Park day-use hours will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The park has stayed open until 7p.m. From May 1, to Sept. 30, the park will again be open seven days a week with day-use hours changed to changed to 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Oct. 1, 2012, the park will return to the same weekday service reduction cycle for 2012/13. 

California Citrus State Historic Park: The park will be closed for day use Tuesday through Thursday until further notice. The park will be open Fridays through Mondays. Day-use hours will remain from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends. Winter day-use hours will remain from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weddings and Sunkist Building rentals will still be available seven days a week through the California Citrus Non-Profit Management Corporation. School tours will also still be accommodated by park volunteers on a case-by-case basis. 

Chino Hills State Park: The park will be closed for day use and camping Tuesdays through Thursdays until further notice. The park will be open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Hours remain from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Winter hours will remain from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Mount San Jacinto State Park: The Idyllwild campground, day-use and sector office will be closed Wednesdays and Thursdays until April 30. It will be open Fridays through Tuesdays. From May 1 to Sept. 30, the park will again be open seven days a week. On Oct. 1, 2012, the park will return to the same weekday service reduction cycle for fiscal year 2012/13. Stone Creek Campground near Idyllwild is normally closed for the winter season and will be open during the summer season. Mount San Jacinto Wilderness Area and Long Valley Ranger Station (Palm Springs Tram area) will remain open year-round as usual. 

San Timoteo and Wildwood Canyon: There will be no changes in hours and no service reductions.