Here is helpful information you should know, so you can sleep at night.
1. Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area will not close anytime soon. No matter what people are saying, or how the media decides to present their version of current events.
"SO RELAX!"....... It's OK!
2. If you want to support the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, introduce a new friend to the area. Invite random friends to come and ride with you. Make the experience a good one! It will have him or her talking about it to all of their friends and co-workers, hopefully getting them interested in trying something new.
I guess you are wondering how I feel so confident about the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area remaining open. Well I will give you the other reports that you do not see.
Here is the
Governor’s 2008-09 Budget Information Linkhttp://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/712/files/budget%20fact%20sheet%20w-graphics%20-%2001-14-08.pdfAs you will read, the state is larger than just one park. By closing the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, the economic damage would effect other Parks and possible closures due to the lack of funding that was produced by the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. I will show the numbers lower in the post. The big picture here is Money. Our governor's main problem right now is Money. The Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is a Money Maker. Luckily for us, our governor is a very smart person who understands the need for Recreation and the need to expand state parks that make money, to make even more money for our state, to re-open state parks effected by the current financial state we are in, that have been closed.
Here is one of the documents that the governor read.
2007 Economic Impact Study Linkhttp://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1170/files/2007%20Economic%20Impact%20Study.pdf Oceano Dunes FactsSize: 3600 Acres
Open for OHV Oct - Feb: 1500 Acres
OPen for OHV Mar - Sep: 1200 Acres
Closed to OHV: 2100 Acres
Attendance: Avg 1.9 million visitors per year
Visitors spend an average of $81.17 per day in San Luis Obispo County.
Visitors generate nearly 117.8 Million in economic impact each year for County businesses.
The economic impact of the park also sustained 1,726 jobs in San Luis Obispo County.
70+% of the visitors make over $50,000 a year and 31.4% of those make over $100,000.
70+% are well educated (Some college - Completed graduate degree)
Conclusions
Based on the results of the survey, Oceano Dunes SVRA visitors exhibit a number of specific subject characteristics. The subjects are primarily visiting the park with family and friends or family with an average age of approximately 38 years old per respondent. Most of the subjects are married and are male. Nearly 70% of the subjects have completed some college or a 4-year degree and almost 1/3 of the subjects report an annual household income of $100,000 or greater. The mean number of nights stay at the ODSVRA is about 2.4 nights and the subjects reside, on average about 200 miles from the Dunes. The top three counties of residence are in the California Central Valley. The most frequent recreational activities when visiting the Dunes are ATV riding on the beach, driving on the beach, camping, walking, and driving for pleasure on the beach.
The visitors to the ODSVRA have a significant economic impact on the Five Cities area and San Luis Obispo County with direct annual impacts of approximately $70 million and the generation of jobs in recreation and amusement, hotels, restaurants, and retail shops. The highest expenditure categories are for food and beverages in the Five Cities area, private auto expenses in the Five Cities area, and retail shopping in the Five Cities area including souvenirs, gifts, film, bait, supplies, and groceries.
Reasons for visiting ODSVRA, important resource amenities, and the place attachment that visitors have to the Dunes are apparent. The most important reasons for visiting the ODSVRA focus on the natural resources setting of the Dunes, being with others such as friends and family, and getting away from daily routines. The most important amenities when visiting the Dunes are first and foremost, the beach for legal OHV use, but also the amenities of surrounding communities including Five Cities area restaurants, shops in downtown Pismo Beach, and rental shops/locations for ATVs. The subjects express their place attachment with the Dunes by depending on it as “the best place for what I like to do,” and through the emotional attachment they have with the Dunes through its meaning as a special place, and their self-identification with the Dunes.
So go out and enjoy yourself, take a good friend and feel safe that the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area will be here for many generations to enjoy.
