Inland Parks and Recreation Areas in California

Harbors and Navigation Code Division 8, Part 2, Chapter 6 deals with inland parks and recreation areas for harbor improvement districts.

Section 5950 allows the board of supervisors to manage the business of the district and promote the commercial interest of the harbor by advertisement of its advantages and by the solicitation of business within or without the district through employees or agencies as are expedient, and it may organize, promote, conduct, and advertise programs of community recreation and the advantages of the district’s park and recreational facilities.

Section 5950.1 defines the tern “inland parks and recreation areas.” Also, specified provisions of law do not apply to the acquisition of forest lands, rangeland, or agricultural lands when the acquisition is for the purpose of establishing hiking, bicycling, or equestrian trails or where the lands are being acquired for their scenic or aesthetic values.

Section 5950.5 allows the board of supervisors of any harbor improvement district to authorize the district to acquire, develop, operate, and maintain inland parks and recreation areas pursuant to this chapter.

Section 5951 states that, if the district is authorized to acquire, develop, operate, and maintain inland parks and recreation areas, the board of supervisors is required to adopt by resolution a new name for the district which will reflect its new duties and responsibilities.

Section 5952 provides that, if the district is authorized to acquire, develop, operate, and maintain inland parks and recreation areas, at least 75% of its annual expenditures must be devoted to that purpose until such time as the total expenditure of district and county funds for land, structures, and improvements which is used for inland park and recreation purposes equals the total expenditure of district and county funds for land, structures, and improvements which is used for beach and harbor purposes.

Section 5953 states that, for the purpose of determining the annual expenditures required, only the expenditures for land, structures, and improvements as are raised by local taxation within the district are to be included and the district must be both charged and credited with the expenditures for land, structures, and improvements made by the county in which the district is located, both for beach and harbor purposes and for inland park and recreational purposes.

Section 5954 requires the district to follow and comply with the procedures provided in existing law of this part in regard to the acquisition, improvement, or maintenance of lands for public beaches.

Section 5955 allows the district to acquire, develop, operate, or maintain public beaches or inland parks and recreation areas without holding the hearings and making the findings required by provisions if there is compliance specified provisions of law.

Section 5956 allows the district to purchase, collect, trade, exchange, or otherwise acquire exhibition or study material necessary or proper for the use of museums or exhibits maintained by the district.