LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Anderson Marsh State Historic Park will remain open while negotiations continue between the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to establish an operating agreement that will allow the park to remain open for the next three years.
The park had previously been scheduled to close July 1.
“This is good news as this will allow AMIA to complete its negotiations with DPR to take on the responsibility of partial operation of the Park so that it can remain open and available to the Public,” said AMIA President Roberta Lyons. “AMIA appreciates all of the support we have gotten from Clear Lake Sector Superintendent Bill Salata in negotiating this agreement.”
In announcing DPR’s intention to keep the park open, Roy Stearns, DPR’s deputy director for communications, stated that “if we have negotiations in progress for partnership agreements that are close and look good, we will keep the park open to complete those agreements after the July 1 deadline. In your case, your negotiations are progressing and so our intention is to keep the park open as we complete the agreements necessary to keep this park on the open list.”
“Again, we cannot thank AMIA and your partners enough,” said Sterns. “We are grateful for the help for agreements that keep parks open from anywhere from one to five years. But, as we have said before, this is a reprieve, not a permanent fix. Here at State Parks, we have two major priorities: Do all we can to keep our parks open during this crisis, and at the same time, look to the future for what we can and must do to find stable funding sources that put this system back together as all of these agreements run their course.
“I would strongly encourage all of your supporters and donors to understand that their help will make a difference and that they should not hesitate, but step up and provide the final funding needed to close this agreement,” added Sterns.
“We urge those of you who have not yet joined AMIA to do so at whatever level of support you can afford” said AMIA Treasurer Henry Bornstein. “Every donation helps.”
Gae Henry, AMIA secretary, added, “AMIA volunteers will continue to hold monthly interpretive nature walks and ranch house tours, host senior and student field trips to the park and conduct other interpretive events while negotiations continue.”
Upcoming AMIA events this summer include:
- Nature walks and ranch tours: Saturday mornings, July 14 and Aug. 11;
- Celebration: 30th anniversary of the establishment of the park, Saturday, Aug. 11;
- Fundraiser: musician Rita Hoskins at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre Sept. 8.
You can get more information about joining AMIA or about upcoming activities by visiting www.andersonmarsh.org or calling 707-995-2658.