LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The California Department of Parks and Recreation announced that it has finalized an agreement with Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association that will keep Anderson Marsh State Historic Park open to the public.
The park was one of 70 state parks that had been slated for closure in 2011.
It has been kept open until now through cooperation between AMIA and the State Parks Clear Lake Sector administration.
The new partnership financial contribution and matching fund agreement will take advantage of funds made available out of a special fund established by the state legislature to “match” donations made by nonprofit organizations that enter into agreements designed to keep state parks open.
The agreement allows the Anderson Marsh State Historic Park to be
maintained and operated by State Parks for the benefit and enjoyment of the public through June 30, 2016.
“We are thankful that we have been able to avoid the closure of our wonderful Park and very excited that we have finally been able to reach an agreement with State Parks that will keep our Park open and accessible to the public,” said AMIA President Roberta Lyons. “This would not have been possible without the generous support of our AMIA members and donors, and the cooperation and help of the State Parks Clear Lake Sector superintendent.”
The agreement calls for the park to be available for use by the public throughout the week, with the parking lot to be open on weekends.
AMIA will pay for park utilities and other services, do
specified maintenance at the park and fund trail maintenance. Money raised by AMIA will also be used to restore the popular McVicar Trail, which has been closed due to unsafe conditions caused by land erosion and tree fall.
Under the agreement, State Parks also will assign a maintenance worker to the park, who will be provided with a utility vehicle and the tools necessary to do groundskeeping, trail maintenance and other routine maintenance.
AMIA will finance other maintenance that had to be deferred due to lack of funding. Responsibility for operating the park will remain with State Parks under the agreement.
"We are grateful to AMIA and to its members, volunteers and donors, who have stepped up to ensure that Anderson Marsh State Historic Park will remain open, and that the important historic, cultural and natural resources found at the Park will remain protected,” said Clear Lake Sector Superintendent Bill Salata.
AMIA Treasurer Henry Bornstein said that the organization is in the process of raising the money it will need to finance its contributions under the agreement.
“None of this would have been possible without the generosity of the people and organizations of Lake County, who understand the importance of preserving the wonders to be found at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park,” said Bornstein. “We urge everyone to become part of this historic effort by joining AMIA.”
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Highway 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake.
For more information about AMIA, visit www.andersonmarsh.org . For more information about the park, visit http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=483 .