Peter Fimrite of the San Francisco Chronicle today takes a look at the massive proposed cuts to California State Parks and paints a picture that is far from pretty:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's latest proposal to tackle the state's $24.3 billion shortfall includes the elimination of all general fund contributions to California's 279 parks within two years. It is a nightmare scenario that would mean the public could be barred from visiting 223 parks - that's 80 percent of the state-owned parks, according to park officials.