THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Aug. 16 (UPI) -- President Bush toured the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Saturday then helped with a trail restoration project by shoveling dirt.
During remarks to about 100 park employees and volunteers, Bush said more funds need to be devoted to park maintenance, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Bush said he has committed nearly $4 billion over the next five years toward that goal and 900 maintenance projects have been completed, which he called "a good start," the Times said.
Bush's visit to the Santa Monica Mountains, the nation's largest urban national park, is part of an ongoing environmental re-election blitz. He was in Arizona earlier this week and is scheduled to visit Oregon and Washington parks next week.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, a Democrat, said he was glad to see Bush, but said he needed to do more than make speeches and participate in photo opportunities.
