I’ll gladly pay an extra buck or two for admission to California state parks, especially when the alternative is a big “CLOSED” sign at the entrance. That was my fear in January when Gov. Schwarzenegger proposed closing 48 state parks and beaches to balance the state budget. I was especially shocked to see my new favorite park – Henry Coe State Park – on the list of parks slated for closure. 

Henry Coe is a hidden gem unknown to many Californians, including most people who I’ve questioned here in the Bay Area. It’s right here in our own back yard, located in the rugged hills just east of Morgan Hill near San Jose. At 87,000 acres, it’s the state’s second-biggest state park, and the biggest in Northern California. Only Anza Borrego State Park in the desert near San Diego is bigger. 

I discovered Henry Coe on a family backpacking trip in spring 2006. We had so much fun that we did the same trip all over again the following year. My enduring memories include the coyote that came into camp and a magical stretch of trail with about a dozen creek crossings.

Our first day hike took us down to Coyote Creek for a lazy lunch at China Hole. We chose a different route back to camp, following the trail along Soda Springs Creek. The kids particularly enjoyed this hike because of all the stream crossings. I guess I’m just a big kid at heart because I got a real kick out of it too. The trail had about a dozen stream crossings in just about a mile. The crossings weren’t hard, but each was a mini-adventure, a chance to balance and hop from one slippery rock to the next. After the last rock hop, we paused to admire a deer skull that we found on the ground, passing it around, taking turns examining it. 

When we resumed hiking the trail left the creek and veered upslope. The trees and shade got thinner. The sun’s heat seemed to grow to match our exertion. We were now on a steep savannah with views across the canyon to ridge after ridge of hills. We paused to catch our breath and take in the beauty. Finally we emerged at the top near our campsite in the Manzanita Point campground. Hot and sweaty, it was time to refill our water bottles at the Rabbit Creek spring.

After dinner I made one of those freeze-dried desserts that only taste good on camping trips. (Just add water, mix and add the crumbled topping.) My back was turned when the kids yelled, “Daddy, Daddy, look.” I turned around just in time to see this grayish dog-like animal. I think he (or she?) was just as surprised as we were. The coyote was trotting into camp when it stopped so abruptly it looked like it was slamming on the brakes. It quickly turned and hightailed out of there, all the while looking back at us over its shoulder. 

Okay, I admit it – I’m a nature nut. Mountains, wilderness and wide open spaces are one of the main reasons this East Coast native first moved to California in 1989. But you don’t have to go backpacking to get your batteries recharged in the great outdoors.

California state parks are a natural treasure that belongs to all of us. Visiting them is a way to reconnect with the source of all life. They offer a respite from a world that can sometimes seem like it’s going mad. I don’t think we can put a price tag on all the benefits they offer us, but I suppose we could add up the cost of years of psychotherapy. 

According to the California State Parks Foundation, the Schwarzenegger administration reversed its proposal to close 48 parks and beaches by “finding” $11.8 million in General Fund dollars. But unfortunately the parks aren’t out of the woods yet. Today the National Trust for Historic Preservation put the entire state park system – all 278 units – on its list of endangered landmarks. The reason is “years of chronic underfunding and deferred maintenance.” It turns out the bill for deferred maintenance has climbed to $1.2 billion. So even if our parks stay open, they’re in danger of crumbling apart.

California’s natural treasures are a main reason so many generations of people settled here in the first place. And they’re a major contributor to our quality of life. It’s time we started taking better care of them.