“Whether it’s the cultural history at places like Angel Island, or the natural splendor of Mt. Tamalpais, the more than 50 state parks and beaches in our region are a major reason travelers visit San Francisco,” said Joe D’Alessandro, San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau president and CEO. “By not providing adequately for the maintenance and care of our state parks, we are jeopardizing their role in attracting billions of dollars in travel and tourism to San Francisco. Prop. 21 is more than an investment in the future of our state parks, it is an investment in the economic health of our city.”

(9/1/10) SACRAMENTO, CA – A new study out today calls for increasing access to parks and recreational space to help combat the rapidly growing rate of obesity and diabetes in the state. The study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research found that the majority of California adults are obese or overweight and more than 2 million Californians have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Prop. 21 was put on the ballot by citizens who are tired of the games that politicians keep playing with our state parks. All money from the surcharge would be deposited into a trust fund, where, by law, it could be spent only on state parks and wildlife conservation - politicians would not be able to touch it.

Proposition 21 will ensure our parks remain open and accessible to all, creating vital recreation and educational opportunities for our families. With one-third of the state's children and half of all California adults either overweight or obese, state parks provide ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and exercise, which can improve public health, lower mortality rates and reduce public spending on health care.

“Whether it’s the cultural history at places like Angel Island, or the natural splendor of Mt. Tamalpais, the more than 50 state parks and beaches in our region are a major reason travelers visit San Francisco By not providing adequately for the maintenance and care of our state parks, we are jeopardizing their role in attracting billions of dollars in travel and tourism to San Francisco. Prop. 21 is more than an investment in the future of our state parks, it is an investment in the economic health of our city.”