LAKE COUNTY — The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) is in the process of negotiating an operating agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation that would allow AMIA to keep the park open until state funding can be restored.
Last spring, the Anderson Marsh State Historic Park found itself on the statewide parks “closure list.”
The AMIA reported that since that time, it has been working with State Parks personnel to create an agreement that would permit AMIA to take 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,” AMIA president Roberta Lyons said.
“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,” she added.
The organization has already received more than $20,000 in commitments, according to AMIA treasurer Henry Bornstein.
“The immediate response has been very gratifying,” he said. “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 each pledged $3,000 ($1,000 for each of the next three years), the Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association pledged $1,500 ($500 for each of the next three years) and the Children”s Museum of Art and Science donated $1,000 to support park operations, Bornstein added.
“Numerous individuals have also stepped forward to help, including volunteering to do trail maintenance,” Bornstein said.
Clay Shannon and Gregory Graham announced that their second annual Cattails & Tules event, scheduled for June 16, would benefit AMIA as well as Konocti Trails.
AMIA decided against holding an Old Time Bluegrass Festival in 2012, instead setting the next one for September 2013.
“The festival was postponed for this year because of the need to concentrate on developing a way to keep the park open,” Lyons said. “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,” AMIA secretary Gae Henry said. “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 the park, the AMIA or how to help, go to www.andersonmarsh.org or contact AMIA at info@andersonmarsh.org or 995-2658.
