Big Basin Redwoods Update: Summer Access by Shuttle and Bus, Additional Trail Access, Planning for Rebuilding
Story and photos from: Will Fourt, Santa Cruz District
 Top left: The new interim parking area, where a new pilot shuttle program can pick up visitors going to Big Basin Redwoods SP. Top right: Site of the former Administration Building and Auto Tree at Big Basin Redwoods SP. Bottom left: Hihn Hammond Fire Road to Mount McAbee Overlook trail is currently open. Bottom right: A view of redwood regrowth inside Big Basin Redwoods SP. Photos from Will Fourt, Santa Cruz District.
In the aftermath of the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, which burned 97% of Big Basin Redwoods State Park (SP) in 2020, there are many years of recovery and rebuilding ahead of us. In the past year, Santa Cruz District and other State Parks staff, along with several partners, have continued to work to reopen parts of the park toward increasing access and toward planning to rebuild permanent facilities, according to the Reimagining Big Basin Vision Summary from 2022.
Starting this summer, there will be additional ways to access the park. A pilot shuttle program will operate on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends: May 25, 2024 - September 2, 2024. The shuttle will run from a new shuttle parking area at the future Saddle Mountain Welcome Area, about 3 miles from the main day-use area in the heart of old-growth redwood forest. In addition, Santa Cruz METRO is increasing bus service to the park, including five trips per day on spring and summer weekends, offering free access to the park from Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley. The day-use parking reservation system continues and has been updated to increase capacity through an increase in the number of reservations and by reserving a limited number of spaces for first-come, first-served parking access.
Since reopening in July 2022, over 88,000 visitors have been to Big Basin Redwoods SP. Trail and fire road access has been expanded as well, including the opening of the Redwood Loop Connector Trail, which allows Hihn Hammond Fire Road to open to McAbee Lookout with views to the Pacific Ocean. Currently, about 5 miles of trails are open to hiking and about 26 miles of fire roads are open to hiking and biking.
District staff and consultants are currently working on preparation of the Facilities Management Plan, which will include more specific planned recreation facilities to be rebuilt in each area of the park. The Cornerstone Document for Big Basin was approved in October 2023 and is the first Cornerstone completed for the California State Park System.
Read the full press release here.
Caring for Candlestick State Recreation Area Mobilizes the Community
Story from: Lisa Whitmer, Bay Area District
 Lots of folks came out to lend a hand for Caring for Candlestick. Left to Right: Deputy District Superintendent Matthew Allen, California State Parks Director Armando Quintero, California State Parks Foundation Executive Director Rachel Norton, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Community Engagement Specialist Lisa Whitmer, Superintendent Mowrey’s mom Alicia Azumbra, Interpreter II Nicholas Fowlks, and Bay Area District Superintendent Maria Mowrey. Photo from Randy Widera, California State Parks Foundation.
Community members, local organizations, city officials, State Parks staff, and notables including San Francisco Mayor London Breed and State Parks Director Armando Quintero came together on Saturday, May 11, for Caring for Candlestick, a volunteer day focused on beautifying the city streets around Candlestick Point State Recreation Area (SRA). Participants cleaned up trash, planted native plants provided by Literacy for Environmental Justice, and painted a mural designed by San Francisco artist Mark Harris, featuring a bright row of poppies that beckon visitors toward the park entrance.
The project is the brainchild of California State Parks Foundation Executive Director Rachel Norton and San Francisco’s Director of Commissions and Community Relations Tyra Fennell in partnership with the 10 Carat Community Alliance, Caring for Candlestick engendered a spirit of collaboration among the many people who love the park. The event was co-organized by Candlestick SRA staff and many women from the San Francisco chapter of The Links Incorporated, an international volunteer organization focused on enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic security of African Americans and other people of African ancestry.
Often referred to as a hidden gem, Candlestick Point SRA is located in Bayview, a historically under-resourced, mixed industrial/residential San Francisco neighborhood that is plagued by illegal dumping and stormwater flooding. To address some of these issues, Caring for Candlestick organizers also mobilized City agencies to pump out longstanding stormwater on nearby Hunters Point Expressway, create safe access to the park for pedestrians, and repaint and repave nearby streets in the leadup to the event.
Candlestick SRA staff and the Bayview community are grateful for the volunteers who made the park’s entrance safer and more welcoming, as well as for the relationships that were strengthened in the process.
 K-rail was moved to allow pedestrians safe access to Candlestick Point, then brightly painted by San Francisco artist Mark Harris. Photo from Lisa Whitmer, Bay Area District.
Adventure Pass Exploration LIVE! goes to La Purísima Mission State Historic Park
Story from: Daniel Williford, Interpretation and Education Division
 The next Adventure Pass Exploration LIVE! broadcast takes you to La Purísima Mission State Historic Park (SHP). Tune in at noon on Friday, May 24, to experience a history-rich and adventure-filled park located in the coastal hills of Santa Barbara County. La Purísima Mission SHP provides plentiful opportunities for Adventure Pass users and their families to explore, learn, and enjoy this unique state park.
Not only does history come alive here at the most completely restored mission in the state but there are also great opportunities for recreation. La Purísima Mission is restored to the 1820s Mission Era and presents an excellent opportunity to hike, picnic, and observe wildlife, as well as a chance to explore California's heritage. Cultural sites, historical buildings, and a visitor center also await your discovery.
In partnership with the First Partner’s Office and the California Natural Resources Agency, State Parks offers the California State Park Adventure Pass, providing free day-use entry for California fourth graders and their families to 54 amazing state parks throughout the state. La Purisima Mission SHP is one of the newly added parks of the Adventure Pass Program. The program recently expanded from 19 to 54 parks, to provide even more free park access to fourth graders and their families.
Our engaging monthly broadcast is aimed to educate fourth graders, their families, and the general public about this notable program. These informative virtual park visits can be viewed on either the State Parks Facebook page or the PORTS® (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students) Program Facebook and YouTube pages.
Summer is right around the corner, making this a great time for every California fourth grader and their family to explore California state parks with this fantastic free program. The Adventure Pass is valid for this year’s fourth graders until Aug. 31, 2024.
Please join us for this fun-filled Adventure Pass Exploration LIVE! at La Purísima Mission State Park!
To learn more about the Adventure Pass, go to California State Parks Adventure Pass.
Angeles District Staff Tours Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing
Story and photos from: Angeles District
 Angeles district staff (top left) on tour of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, which will provide a sustainable passage for wildlife across U.S. Highway 101.
Staff from the Angeles District participated in a guided hike of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing on May 9, 2024. The project aims to develop a vegetated bridge across U.S. Highway 101 and will be the largest wildlife crossing of its type in the nation.
The crossing is a critical linkage between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Sierra Madre Range. Preserving and enhancing this linkage will create a safe and sustainable passage for wildlife that reduces wildlife-vehicle collisions and wildlife mortality, and will allow for the safe movement of animals and the exchange of genetic material for wildlife survival.
Project construction began in mid-2022 and is expected to be completed in early 2026. The total length of the bridge will be about 210 feet and about 174 feet wide, or enough to accommodate five lanes of traffic in both directions if the bridge were designed for vehicles. The crossing will only be open to wildlife upon opening.
The tour was provided by members of the National Park Service, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy/Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, the National Wildlife Federation, local elected officials, and other key stakeholders.
Sonoma State Historic Park Celebrates Annual Children’s Day
Story and photos from: Tyler Markley, Bay Area District
 Clockwise from upper left corner: Park volunteers Skye Bailey and Sonoma Sam. Items from our nature journaling table. Sonoma Barracks. Skye Bailey with a cornhusk doll. Interior chapel of our Minecraft Mission. Park Interpretive Specialist Carmen Vanni showing a guest how to navigate the mission. Homemade sign for Mission Minecraft created by park staff. Yvonne B. and Suzanne B. of SPParks welcoming visitors. Center image: Children's Day sign created by park staff.
Sonoma State Historic Park (SHP) celebrated its annual Children's Day event inside the Sonoma Barracks earlier this month. Despite the stormy weather, staff and volunteers eagerly filled the barracks, transforming it into a colorful hub of creativity and learning for visitors of all ages.
Throughout the day, guests had the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities, including crafting cornhusk dolls, learning about the Bear Flag Revolt while creating their own flags, exploring nature journaling, enjoying complimentary drinks and snacks, and crafting historic button toys. The highlight of the event was a hands-on demonstration of our Mission Minecraft project, which captivated both children and adults alike with its innovative approach to history education.
Despite the challenges posed by the weather, the event saw a remarkable turnout. This success would not have been possible without the generous support of our cooperating association, Sonoma Petaluma Parks (SPParks), whose contributions help fund events like Children's Day.
A special note of gratitude goes out to the dedicated State Parks staff and volunteers who devoted their Saturday to ensuring the success of this event. Their hard work and commitment to preserving and sharing our local heritage are truly commendable.
We are excited to host Children’s Day again next year and are already working on fun new ways to celebrate!
Sierra District Staff Plants 2,000 Sugar Pine Saplings at Burton Creek State Park
Story from: Camden Dahms, Sierra District
 From left to right: Senior Park Aide Will Hamann with shovel over shoulder and a bag of sugar pine saplings in hand. Forestry Aide Nicole Owens holding one of the 2,000 sugar pine saplings that were planted on this beautiful spring day. Skilled Laborer Adrian Lemke selecting a sapling from the bag to go in this perfect location. A sugar pine baby just having been planted getting acquainted with its forever home. Photos from Kaytlen Jackson, Sierra District.
If you have visited the Lake Tahoe Basin recently, you have seen the pristinely clear waters, the amazing biodiversity, and the numerous recreational opportunities. But you may have also seen something less appealing—dead or dying trees. After over a century of fire suppression, heavy logging, and disease, a tree that has historically made up 25% of Tahoe’s forests has had its population diminished to less than 5%.
On May 3, the Sierra District natural resources team got to work planting 2,000 Sugar Pine (Pinus lambertiana) saplings at Burton Creek State Park on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. The saplings were planted across 80 acres that had been previously burned by the Fire Management Crew between 2019 and 2023.
The saplings come from trees that are not genetically modified, but rather have genes that make them naturally more resilient against the white pine blister rust. This non-native fungus kills white pines as well as gooseberries and currants. Blister rust kills young trees easily, with only 3-5% of sugar pines being resilient to it.
The day was a true team effort as staff from many different disciplines from within the Sierra District contributed to the planting of these 2,000 baby sugar pines. Forestry aides, park aides, and California Conservation Corps interns were involved. Hands were dirtied, beef jerky was shared, and smiles were exchanged during the day’s rewarding work.
The goal is to have these trees grow into big healthy adults that will both protect and provide for the forest and those that call it home. Although we will not see these trees grow to full maturity in our lifetime, according to an old Greek proverb “a society grows great when old [folks] plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” That is what the day was about—contributing to a healthier and more diverse planet that future generations will get to enjoy, just as we have.
PARTNER NEWS
Building Literacy at Candlestick State Recreation Area, California’s First Urban State Park
Story from: Elizabeth Kirbey, Parks California
 Author Carmen Bogan at the Candlestick SRA StoryWalk event. Photo from Parks California.
California State Parks and Parks California recently held a literacy gathering with author Carmen Bogan at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area (SRA) to commemorate the opening of Tasha’s Voice—a StoryWalk installation. Children had the opportunity to enjoy various activities, including listening to Carmen read her new book, participating in a scavenger hunt to identify plants and animals in the park, and connecting with local community partners such as the San Francisco Public Library, California Academy of Sciences, and Tree Frog Treks. Local residents, families and students from nearby Bret Harte Elementary School joined in the event.
Learn more about the StoryWalk and how reading and getting outside can benefit young people here.
Visiting the Bay Area soon and want to experience this special installation? Tasha’s Voice StoryWalk will be on display at Candlestick Point SRA until the end of October 2024 to help parkgoers foster a deeper connection with nature, learning, and exploration.
 Author Carmen Bogan with young participants at the Candlestick SRA StoryWalk. Photo from Parks California.
Arts in California Parks Events Continue
Story from: Marissa Duenas, Placeworks
 Explore the dynamic synergy of culture, art, and nature with Arts in California Parks! This initiative champions artists, culture bearers, California Native American tribes, and communities, fostering the creation of thought-provoking artwork that illuminates our history and present while sparking imagination for our future. Dive into upcoming events and engage with art in your state parks!
Upcoming Events
May 18, 2024 – Growing Together Day at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area
Growing Together Day is a free event that celebrates the power of art, community, and nature. This family-friendly event invites participants to help Joe Colmenares, a renowned San Francisco artist, paint a community mural. The festival will also feature a DJ, the SF Public library book mobile, and activities hosted by local nonprofits, guided walks in the park, food trucks, as well as live music and performances. Click here to learn more.
May 21, 2024 – Pond Farm Pottery Artist in Residence Program Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
In the month of May, visit Pond Farm Artist in Residence Sue Ellen McCann, who is a painter, printmaker, and fiber arts artist working with oils and watercolor paints, as well as pencil, ink, and natural dye. On May 21, 2024, McCann will host a sold-out public workshop about natural dyes. If you were not able to get a ticket, click here to learn more about Sue Ellen McCann’s art.
The Artist in Residence Program at Pond Farm Pottery invites artists from historically underserved communities to live and work on-site, engaging with visitors and the community. Click here to learn more about the program, including a list of upcoming residencies in June, July, August, and September.
For more information on other upcoming Arts in California Parks events, click here.
 Participants painting a mural at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area during the 2023 Growing Together Day. Photo from Parks California.
  Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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