California State Parks has opened the State Parks Forward survey to gather public feedback on three proposed Central Valley parks: Dust Bowl Camp (Bakersfield), the San Joaquin River Parkway (Fresno & Madera) and Feather River Park (Olivehurst). The survey is open through September 4 and takes about 5–10 minutes to complete. Dust Bowl Camp is linked to the history that inspired John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. If approved, the additions would add roughly 30,000 acres and bring California's state park total to about 238 sites.
California Seeks Public Input on Three Proposed Central Valley State Parks — Including Historic Dust Bowl Camp
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows A wide river with calm water reflecting the trees on its banks under a blue sky with thin white clouds, Image 2 shows Aerial view of a river flowing through a lush landscape, with hills, distant mountains, and buildings in the background, Image 3 shows Green wooden house in a park with palm trees and a light pole
California State Parks has launched a public survey to gather community input on three proposed new state parks in the Central Valley. The initiative, called State Parks Forward, invites residents to weigh in on plans for Dust Bowl Camp (Bakersfield, Kern County), the San Joaquin River Parkway (Fresno and Madera counties) and Feather River Park (Olivehurst, Yuba County).
Survey Details
The online survey is open through September 4 and takes roughly 5–10 minutes to complete. Respondents can comment on any single park or provide feedback on all three. Officials say public input will help shape interpretive programming, conservation priorities and visitor amenities.
If all goes to plan, the Golden State could be beautified even further by up to three new state parks. Instagram/@castateparks
About the Proposed Parks
Dust Bowl Camp (Bakersfield) — The proposed park would commemorate a historic migrant camp tied to the events that inspired John Steinbeck's 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath. Planners intend the site to honor Dust Bowl migrants and farmworker history; specific designs and exhibits have not yet been finalized.
San Joaquin River Parkway (Fresno & Madera Counties) — This corridor-focused park would protect river access and riparian habitat across sections of the San Joaquin River, creating new opportunities for recreation, wildlife conservation and community connections to open space.
Two of the parks — Dust Bowl Camp and San Joaquin River Parkway — are near or along the controversial California High-Speed Rail corridor. Instagram/@castateparks
Feather River Park (Olivehurst) — Proposed near the Feather River in Yuba County, this park aims to expand local recreation and conservation options for nearby communities.
Significance and Context
If established, the three parks would expand California's state park system to about 238 sites and add roughly 30,000 acres of protected land by the end of the decade, officials estimate. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the initiative on Earth Day in April as part of a broader effort to increase access to outdoor spaces across the state.
The addition of the three parks would increase the statewide total to a whopping 238 parks. Instagram/@castateparks
"Through the State Parks Forward initiative, we're expanding our parks system with three new state parks, creating new outdoor recreation opportunities for Central Valley communities, and deepening our conservation commitments, and preserving our lands for generations of Californians to come," said Governor Newsom.
Two of the proposed parks — Dust Bowl Camp and San Joaquin River Parkway — are located near or along the planned California High-Speed Rail corridor. The rail project previously lost $4 billion in federal funding under the Trump administration and remains under construction; planners project the Merced-to-Bakersfield initial operating segment could enter service by 2032. Advocates say future rail service could improve public access to rivers and open space across the Central Valley.
How to Participate
California State Parks is accepting public comments through the survey until September 4. Residents who want to influence interpretive plans, recreation features and conservation priorities are encouraged to respond.
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