Annadel State Park, the most accessible major park in Sonoma County, will be closed to achieve state-mandated budget cuts, a state Capitol source confirmed Thursday.
While state parks officials have closely guarded the closure list, the source familiar with the targeted parks said that both Annadel and the Petaluma Adobe would be closed.
Henry Trione, the Santa Rosa financier whose family's money and efforts were instrumental in cobbling together Annadel in the late 1960s, said he was deeply troubled to hear that his legacy to the county was on the hit list.
"I would be very much upset and I would immediately call the governor and make him recognize that closing it would be worse than the cost of keeping it open," Trione said. "They must not close that park."
Parks officials said earlier this week they plan to announce closings of about 100 of California's 220 parks next week. They declined comment Thursday on whether Annadel, or any other park, was likely to be shut down.
How the state would enforce closure of Annadel, a popular park with multiple entrances is not yet known. The 5,500-acre park, which borders Spring Lake and Howarth parks, as well as east Santa Rosa neighborhoods, has 12 official entry points and only one of them has a movable barrier that prevents vehicles from entering. There are numerous spots where users can walk in or enter on bikes or horses.
"Whether the park is open or closed, they will continue to use it," said Gordon Burns, whose home is three houses and a short stroll through Santa Rosa's Howarth Park to Annadel. "Even the stalwart, law abiding folks will use it, no matter what the sign says."
About a month ago, the entrance fee to Annadel was raised from $4 to $6. The only collection point is a self-service kiosk at an entrance on Channel Drive, which leads to a large parking lot.
State parks officials have said that parks that don't generate enough revenue in comparison with their operational costs are most likely to be closed or have curtailed public access.
Assemblyman Jared Huffman, a San Rafael Democrat who chairs the Assembly's Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, said release of the state's closure list is "imminent."
He is convening a meeting Tuesday Sept. 22 in Sausalito to bring together state parks officials, parks supporters and tourism officials to discuss strategies for keeping parks open. The conference will include officials from Sonoma County as well as the county's Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District.
One measure could include an initiative next year for a surcharge on vehicle registration.
"We have a devastating scenario facing our state parks, so I'm trying to highlight the severity of the funding shortfall, the economic impact and come up with some creative strategies communities can explore to keep their parks open," Huffman said.
Jodean Nicolette, president of the Mounted Assistance Unit, a group of horseback riders who have patrolled the park for years, said Annadel's multiple entry points make it attractive to many users, but also contribute to its lack of revenue.
"There are too many ways to get in free, so there's no accurate count on what I believe would rank as one of the most popular state parks," Nicolette said Thursday as she paused during a ride through the park. "Closing it means withdrawal of official support, and that makes me worried for the people in the surrounding area who have to think about crime, vandalism and fire."
Supporters such as the non-profit California Parks Foundation have said they feared as many as 100 parks in the state could be affected because of budget reductions. Closures could range from full shutdowns to seasonal closings to limited access a few days of the week, they said.
Kim Dow, a graphic artist who leads mountain bikers on twice monthly rides along Annadel trails, said closure isn't likely to deter users, but it would heighten concern about personal safety along trails that won't have park rangers on patrol.
"I think it is terrible. Not using it is kind of not an option," Dow said. "Unless you want to drive to Lake Sonoma, Annadel is about the only place to go for mountain biking."
Bob Reid, who lives in the nearby St. Francis neighborhood, said he has hiked Annadel for 10 years and fears maintenance of trails will suffer if the state ceases taking responsibility. Part of the blame for the park's low revenues should rest with Annadel users who park vehicles outside the entrance barrier and don't pay fees or obtain state park use permits.
"There are simply too many entrances to monitor," Reid said. "Still, I think closing it to save a few dollars doesn't make a lot of sense."
The park is also heavily used by horseback riders, as well as joggers such as members of the Empire Runners Club.
Sally Weare, a resident of the Bennett Ridge subdivision whose home is next to the park, said, "I think this is devastating for the whole community." For 30 years, she and her neighbors have considered Annadel Park as a part of their backyard that needs special attention.
From her home, she can see dying or felled trees that are scheduled for removal in order to prevent spread of fire.
"It would be a huge mistake to stop supervising this park and allow a fire to come down the hillside," Weare said. "It invites a free for all up there, basically."
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