"Our objection to closing the parks isn't that it would be penny wise and pound foolish. With a budget situation this serious, the state will no doubt have to make such moves to reap short-term savings. The problem with closing the parks is the high likelihood that it would be penny foolish as well."
The editor goes on to focus on the many areas in question as to actually saving money; parks can become havens for illegal activities, the state's liability for citizens injured on the property - even if they were trespassing, and the state is held responsible by the federal government for any harm caused to endangered species on land they own (California's lack of funding to protect these plants and animals can't be used as an excuse).
Bravo to the staff at the LA Times! Let's hope Sacramento is listening.
