Crystal Cove State Beach Earns State Park Grant On Earth Day

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Crystal Cove will continue getting state funding, it was announced on Wednesday. The California State Parks Foundation Wednesday selected the Orange County beach-side park to receive a share of $75,000 in new grant funding for parks in the Southland and throughout the state.

"On most Earth Days we'd be outside, celebrating, protecting and enhancing the irreplaceable natural treasures around us, but this Earth Day, while we all shelter in place we're doing everything we can to support our state parks from home," said Rachel Norton, executive director of the California State Parks Foundation.

"Immediate grant funding for California's state parks will help to bridge the gaps brought on by this pandemic," Norton said.

Among the 21 parks statewide receiving grants, local grants will go to:

• Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook State Park
• Leo Carrillo State Park
• Los Angeles State Historic Park
• Rio de Los Angeles State Park in Los Angeles County
• Crystal Cove State Beach in Orange County

For more than 20 years, California State Parks Foundation's annual Earth Day celebrations have raised nearly $7 million, attracting nearly 90,000 participants volunteering more than 355,000 hours, officials said.

"The reality is, in addition to the financial hardships we’re all feeling, state parks already have more than $1 billion in deferred maintenance costs that have yet to be addressed," said Holly Martinez, Director of Programs and Advocacy for California State Parks Foundation. "Green spaces have proven to be a place of reprieve while we all shelter in place and we hope everyone from home joins us today in celebrating our earth and the spaces we’ve been gifted."

Sponsors have included United Airlines Edison International, The PG&E Foundation Corporation, Target and Blue Shield of California.

To learn more about what you can do this Earth Day to celebrate California and the planet, visit www.calparks.org/earthday.