THE ISSUELast May California announced plans to close one quarter of their 278 parks,
a devastating move that is intended to save the state a mere $22 million per year. The closure list includes thousands of acres of park land, recreation areas, wildlife reserves, and 50% of the state's historic parks. By July 2012 Californians will be bereft of 70 magnificent natural parks. The media has
done little to disclose the ongoing closures or emphasize their impact.
a devastating move that is intended to save the state a mere $22 million per year. The closure list includes thousands of acres of park land, recreation areas, wildlife reserves, and 50% of the state's historic parks. By July 2012 Californians will be bereft of 70 magnificent natural parks. The media has
done little to disclose the ongoing closures or emphasize their impact.
THE TRIPNot wanting to miss the chance to see these places before they were gone forever, we decided to make our way across California in a converted airport shuttle bus, shooting as many parks and people as possible. Individuals we met along the way were concerned about the closing of their local parks, but no one had a collective firsthand experience of the overall picture. As we connected dots on a map, a pattern emerged. No one knew exactly what the conditions of closure would be, nor could they
see how the state would
ultimately benefit.
see how the state would
ultimately benefit.
THE FILMThe First 70 is a short film that showcases an inspiring journey through California to visit the 70 majestic state parks slated to close in July 2012. Three young filmmakers set out last May on a 3,000 mile trip around California after the state announced plans to close one quarter of their 279 parks. The closure list includes thousands of acres of parkland, recreation areas, wildlife reserves, and 50% of the state's historic parks. The First 70 beautifully portrays the individuals who have put their heart and soul into maintaining and caring for these remarkable resources.
EXPLORE THE PARKS
THE FILMMAKERS
Lauren Valentino
& Cory Brown
Jarratt Moody, Lauren Valentino and
their longtime friend Cory Brown attended
the Savannah College of Art and Design together
before moving to the west coast. Spending
several years working in the design industry in
San Francisco, Jarratt and Lauren found themselves leaving the city most weekends to explore
wilderness areas throughout California. After hearing the news of park closures, the two were compelled to get involved. Cory meanwhile had converted
an old airport shuttle bus into a veggie oil
powered recreational vehicle. Interested in both
the project and the cause, he camped across
the country from New York to San Francisco joining Jarratt and Lauren. Soon after the three set out to film The First 70.
CREDITSJarratt Moody
Director of Photography
Cory Brown
Producer
Lauren Valentino
Executive Producers
Avocados and Coconuts
California State Parks Foundation
Associate Producers
Jeff Boortz
Stefan Kreuzer
Ross Mercier
Mark Schatzberg
John & Cheryl Moody
Michael Valentino
Barbara Weber
Editors
Andy Miller & Robin Moore
Composer
Dmitri Gaskin
Major Contributors
Benjamin Bowler
Linda Daly
Jeffery Ess
Eric Huffman
John Kelley
Besty Mellor
Lori & George Palermo
Nicole Persson
Andreas Tintelott
Peggy Winkler
Melodie Woods
East Bay Regional Park District
