ANDERSON MARSH STATE PARK — The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) announced Monday that Anderson Marsh State Historic Park will remain open while negotiations continue between the state Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and AMIA to establish an operating agreement that will allow the park to remain open for the next three years.
The park was previously scheduled to close Sunday.
“The 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,” AMIA President Roberta Lyons said. “AMIA appreciates all of the support we have gotten from Clear Lake Sector Superintendent Bill Salata in negotiating this agreement.”
Roy Stearns, DPR deputy director for communications, stated that by announcing the department”s intention to keep the park open, “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 (AMIA”s) case, (AMIA) 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 (its) partners enough,” Stearns continued. “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 (AMIA) 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,” Stearns added.
“We urge those of you who have not yet joined AMIA to do so at whatever level of support you can afford,” AMIA Treasurer Henry Bornstein said. “Every donation helps.”
AMIA Secretary Gae Henry 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 on July 14 and Aug. 11 in the morning; a 30th-anniversary celebration of the park on Aug. 11; and a fundraiser Sept. 8 at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport, featuring musician Rita Hoskins.
For more information about AMIA and its upcoming activities or to join, visit www.andersonmarsh.org or call 995-2658.
