LOWER LAKE ? Anderson Marsh State Historic Park”s value to the community was well displayed Saturday when more than 100 people attended “Old Fashioned Day in Your Park.” The event provided an opportunity for residents and guests to enjoy family unity while learning a little bit about Lake County history.
The purpose of the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) sponsored event was to provide for the community while raising awareness in the park”s value and contributions to quality of life in Lake County. AMIA representatives were pleased with the turnout and said that many signatures were collected opposing the governor”s proposal to eliminate state park funding in pending budget.
“Today was to celebrate the music of Lake County and collect signatures for the petition and we”ve done that,” AMIA member Anna McAtee said. “We”ve been able to raise the awareness of the use of the park; AMIA has three events and Children”s Museum of Art and Science (CMAS) has two and other people use it too. The schools use it for field trips and other organizations use it, not to mention the people. This is not a vacant park. We use it.”
A decision was made by the Budget Conference Committee on Monday. According to the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF), the committee took action to (1) eliminate General Fund support for the state park system and (2) enact the State Park Access Pass program. Traci Verardo-Torress, vice president of government affairs for CSPF, reported that the vote was split along party lines with only Democrats voting in favor and all Republicans voting in opposition. “Because the vote did not gain Republican support, its fate as part of the final budget package is far from certain,” she stated.
The State Park Access Pass program would institute a $15 surcharge on vehicle license fees of non-commercial vehicles in order to provide Californians with free day-use access to state parks and generate revenues for the system.
“Adopting the State Park Access Pass keeps the doors open to state parks for Californians and for the California economy,” CSPF President Elizabeth Goldstein said in a statement issued on Tuesday. “At a time when the state desperately needs to generate revenues for many other critical state services, it makes sense to keep state parks open and available for the public. The Committee recognized that closing state parks won”t save money, it will cost the state dearly.”
Originally CSPF reportedly proposed the State Park Access Pass with former Assemblymember John Laird in 2008 as part of the Fiscal Year 2008-09 state budget. The version adopted on Monday differs from last year”s proposal in that Monday”s action adopted a $15 free in order to gain permanent General Fund savings of approximately $143 million annually. In exchange for paying the fee, residents driving into state parks with a California license plate would receive free day-use entrance into state parks.
While the CSPF says that the action is favorable it is still far from final budget victory. The organization and AMIA urge citizens to contact their legislators immediately and voice their support for the State Park Access Pass program. For more information visit www.savestateparks.org.
Guests of all ages relished in the opportunity to experience the history of Anderson Marsh during Saturday”s event. Lively bluegrass music entertained the crowd as they waited patiently for their chance to tour the old Ranch House at the park. Many enjoyed the slide and video shows that depicted early settlement by pioneers and the some that illustrated the traditional ways of the Pomo Indians who first discovered the land.
“The music is awesome and the people are great. This park is a perfect place for events like this,” Susan Littlefield, of Santa Rosa who joined her family from Sacramento at the event, said. “If it closes it will be an injustice to the community. It”s a venue for a lot of events and people want to be able to enjoy the trails and nature and everything here at the park.”
Susie Smith, of Clear Lake Riviera who enjoyed the event with her children, offered similar thoughts. “If the park closes it will detrimental to our community,” she said. “We”re fortunate to live her in a place so rich with history and beauty.”
Smith continued, “If you”re in a park in the city you don”t have this house or this barn. We need to protect this so we can share it with our children and our visitors.”
Tours of the Ranch House offered guests insight into early pioneer living and customs. AMIA Secretary Gae Henry and Treasurer Henry Bornstein, dressed in period clothing, led guests through the home. Bornstein provided a history of the home”s construction, which he said was partially built in the 1850s, 1880s and 1920s. Once inside the house, he showed guests the difference between materials used during the different time periods and explained the reasons associated with remodeling such as the introduction of electricity and running water.
In the parlor, Henry offered insight into the leisure life of the early pioneer. She showcased the antique piano that she said entertained Anderson family before the turn of the century. She said they liked to play dominoes and showed the guests the stereoscope that undoubtedly brought pleasure to the children. She was especially enthralled with the names that had been etched in the glass so long ago by the Anderson children.
In the kitchen she showed guests the appliances and utensils the Andersons used in everyday living. She spoke of the relief the family must of felt when running water was brought into the home.
Old Fashioned Day in Your Park also provided fundraising and exposure opportunities for other organizations. A team from Lower Lake High School”s Culinary Academy, which is a division of the Konocti Career Tech Pathways program, raised about $200. “We need these types of opportunities to raise money so we can keep our equipment up to date,” Hazel Wohle, culinary teacher said. “Right now we operate out of an Ozzie and Harriet 1950s kitchen and we want to get it up to date, in line with restaurant standards.”
CMAS also participated. The organization provided a trailer display of local wildlife, historical photos, rock specimens found throughout the Lake County region and visions for a discovery center. The display also featured children in past events learning the history and science of the area.
AMIA strongly encourages correspondence with legislators conveying the park”s value to the community. It also highly urges organizations to send letters on official letterhead in effort to keep our state parks open and accessible to residents of California.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
