Open Parks Coalition Launches Effort to Preserve State Parks in Marin

August 18, 2011

contact: Fred Silverman (415.464.2527 or via email)

At a meeting yesterday of the newly formed Open Parks Coalition— a group co-chaired by State Assemblymember Jared Huffman and Marin Community Foundation President Thomas Peters—government, park, and nonprofit officials affirmed the coalition's goal of keeping open four state parks in Marin in jeopardy of being closed as a result of cuts in state funding.

The parks—Samuel P. Taylor State Park, China Camp State Park, Tomales Bay State Park, and Olompali State Historic Park—were identified by state officials in a process earlier this year that marked 70 parks statewide for possible closure next summer.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Peters stated that the group agreed that it will enlist public input around two key issues: finding both short- and long-term solutions to keeping the parks open, and exploring a range of funding options—including public, private, and commercial sources—with the condition that the options be in keeping with the mission and legacy of state parks. In addition, the coalition wants to be a vehicle for ensuring that accurate and current information on this issue is widely available.

“This is a compelling community challenge that requires broad community input,” said Peters. He added that this is necessary in order “to capture the palpable concern that residents have about the possible closure of these treasured resources, and to benefit from the creative suggestions put forth.” The forums will begin later next month, Peters said.

He added that the ideas generated at these forums will be forwarded as recommendations to state park representatives and other officials in Marin and Sacramento.

“Overall, the sentiment of this group is that these are new times, with the need to develop new models and approaches for keeping parks open, not only here in Marin, but statewide. This could possibly include greater collaboration among federal, state, county, and water district officials who have already established close working relationships here in Marin,” said Peters. “This is not business as usual, and won't be for a long time.”

Peters concluded by emphasizing that while the coalition is committed to exploring new options for the structure and financing of the parks, “The vision of the essential role these parks play in the very definition of who we are as a community and as a state remains constant.

“These parks, in their quiet majesty, provide a wondrous haven and a connection to nature that both heals and inspires,” he added. “With great foresight in the early days of our state, these parks were set aside to be fully and equally accessible into perpetuity, and our coalition is dedicated to preserving this essential mission.”