PLEDGE DRIVE MOUNTED TO SAVE PALOMAR STATE PARK FROM CLOSURE
Update: 20% of $60,000 funding goal met so far; pledges sought from public
New! View a video of what may be lost: http://palomarsp.org/friends/save_palomar_video_standard.htm
By Miriam Raftery
January 16, 2012 (Palomar) – Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park has submitted a plan to the California Dept. of Parks and Recreation that could prevent the park from closing permanently on July 1 due to budget cuts. The group seeks pledges from inidividuals in hopes of reaching $60,000. [Editor's note: 16% of the goal was met when we posted this. Now on Jan. 17, 20% of the goal has been met. Thanks to our readers who helped! I made a pledge and hope many more of you will help save this beautiful place!)
To pledge, visit www.friendsofpalomarsp.org. (You won't be asked to pay unless State Parks agrees to the plan.) To learn more and see photos of what’s at stake, see ECM’s story on Palomar State Park at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/5539
If $60,000 can be raised, it would be enough to reopen campgrounds already closed, keep the park open for day use year-round, and even include a contingency fund.
Every penny of donations will go exclusively towards supporting Palomar Mountain State Park. None of the money pledged will be used for administrative overhead or other parks. Click www.friendsofpalomarsp.org to make a pledge to the nonprofit Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park.
My photos, shown here, display a winter wonderland enjoyed by all San Diegans. But the park is also beautiful in summer, with lakes, hiking trails, and ranger-led programs for people of all ages to treasure.