KELSEYVILLE — Lake County has a number of crown jewels. Clear Lake is one and Mount Konocti is another. A third crown jewel is the Clear Lake State Park.
Unlike Clear Lake and Mount Konocti, which will be here forever, the state park could be in jeopardy if sufficient funding doesn”t come through. The voters rejected State Proposition 21, which would have funded the California State Park system, and now it remains to be seen what Gov. Jerry Brown will do when he takes office in January. As it now stands the Clear Lake State Park is operating under a bare-bones agenda. There is only one full time ranger, a part time ranger and four maintenance personnel. The park plays host to more than 120,000 visitors a year, making it one of the more popular state parks in Northern California.
The 565-acre park was founded in 1948 when Fred and Nellie Dorn donated 330-acres to the state to be used as a park. Over the years, bits and pieces were added to bring it up to its present size. The park is extremely popular with boaters, fishermen, hikers and campers. It has four developed campgrounds with a total of 147 sites. In addition there is a modern boat ramp as well as a visitor center. During the summer months the campgrounds are normally filled seven days a week. There are also several hiking trails which meander throughout the park where all types of wildlife can be observed. Deer, bear, wild turkeys, ducks and even an occasional mountain lion have been spotted within the confines of the park.
One of the more popular areas is the visitor center which has numerous displays of wild animals, birds and even an aquarium. During the summer months the visitor center is open to the public daily.
Bill Salata was recently appointed as supervisor of both Clear Lake State Park and Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. He said that he is in process of drawing up a budget for both parks for next year. Last year both parks were on the initial closing list because of budget cutbacks. The possibility of the parks being closed drew an outcry from local residents and they were spared. With the failure of Proposition 21, which would have added $18 to the yearly vehicle licenses to operate the parks, means there will major cutbacks throughout the state”s 278 parks including both Clear Lake State Park and Anderson Marsh. The 1,000-acres Anderson Marsh State Historic Park was nearly closed last year and could be in trouble. The park is strictly a day use facility and offers excellent hiking trails as well as wildlife viewing.
One of the answers to the park”s dilemma is the use of volunteers-called docents. Val Nixon was a ranger at the park for more than 25 years and now heads up the park volunteer program. She said there are presently 25 volunteers that man the visitor center, lead hikes and help oversea both parks. She said that she is looking for additional volunteers. The park staff will provide training and guidance. Interested volunteers can contact Nixon at 279-2267.
Nixon said that park visitors pour more than $6 million a year into the local economy. If the park closed the local economy would take a major hit.
“There is no question that Clear Lake State Park pays its way and is an important part of Lake County. I just hope we can get the funding to keep operating it in way which will bests serve the public,” Nixon said.
