LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) reported that it is in the process of negotiating an operating agreement with the State Department of Parks and Recreation that will allow AMIA to keep the park open until state funding can be restored.

Last spring it was announced that Anderson Marsh State Historic Park was on the statewide parks “closure list.”  

Since that time, AMIA has been working with state parks personnel to create an agreement that will permit AMIA to take on responsibility for numerous aspects of park operations, allowing the park to stay open to the public and for special events.

“Finance is one of the issues the State has been looking at in order to finalize an operating agreement,” said AMIA President Roberta Lyons. “Our proposal has been submitted and now we’re focusing on our fundraising and membership drive, to demonstrate to the state that we can raise the necessary funds in order to responsibly operate the Park for at least three years.”

“The immediate response has been very gratifying,” said AMIA Treasurer Henry Bornstein. “AMIA has received an extremely generous commitment of $15,000 – $5,000 for each of the next three years – from park supporter Charlotte Griswold.”

“The Lake County Land Trust and The Redbud Audubon Society have also each generously pledged $3000 ($1000 for each of the next 3 years),” continued Bornstein. “AMIA is also grateful to the Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association for their pledge of $1,500 – $500 for each of the next three years – and to the Children’s Museum of Art and Science, which has made a donation of $1,000 to support AMIA’s Park operations. Numerous individuals have also stepped forward to help, including volunteering to do trail maintenance,”

Clay Shannon and Gregory Graham have announced that their second annual Cattails & Tules event, scheduled to be held on Saturday, June 16, will benefit AMIA as well as Konocti Trails.

AMIA has announced that the Old Time Bluegrass Festival, an important fundraiser for the Park, will be next held in September 2013.

“The festival was postponed for this year because of the need to concentrate on developing a way to keep the Park open,” explained Lyons. “The festival will continue to be an important AMIA fundraiser when the festival resumes next year.”

“To raise all the money it needs, AMIA needs each individual who supports keeping the Park open to help by joining AMIA at an individual, family, business or supporter level.” said Gae Henry, AMIA secretary. “We must each act, doing what we can to protect this jewel of Lake County and keep it open to the public.”

For information about Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, AMIA and how you can help, go to www.andersonmarsh.org or contact AMIA at either This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-995-2658.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com , on Google+, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .