Sierra State Parks Foundation

When the economy hit the skids several years ago, it hit our California State Parks especially hard. As the state slashed budgets and tightened its belt, up to 70 parks were threatened with closure.  You can read more about it here. www.huffingtonpost.com/2012

Enter the stepped up efforts of local non profits to raise money for the parks to keep them open. Here at the Lake Tahoe /Truckee area, we have the Sierra State Parks Foundation. Started in 1973, the foundation has gone through several name changes, but their commitment to the parks remains the same.

“From nature talks, historic house tours and Junior Ranger programs to interpretive signage, educational programs and historic preservation projects, SSPF plays a critical role in filling the gap where State Parks leaves off providing staff, volunteers, funding and partnership to the California State Parks in the Lake Tahoe-Donner Region.”

Its most recent reincarnation however has come up with some VERY unique, fun and creative solutions to help 7 of the state parks in our area. You can see which parks they include here: sierrastateparks.org/what-we-do

Starting Memorial Day weekend, the museum homes at the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion and Vikingsholm open for tours through September. In between those dates, the Sierra State Parks hold a variety of events to entice visitors and locals alike to come and enjoy our state parks.

June 3rd celebrates the 3rd annual Night at the Museum ‘Magic in the Mountains’ gala and fundraiser at Donner Memorial State Park.

Last year, Sugar Pine Point hosted a ‘Downton Abbey’ themed fashion show and tea party.  With tables set up outside on the park’s lovely grounds, we were treated to scones, tea, lemonade and other dainties on a lovely spring day. The fashion show of vintage clothing from the Edwardian and Roaring Twenties era was the highlight of the event, and you could just tell that it took hours of preparation to make this a memorable afternoon. So much fun, I hope they do it again. I’d go again in a heartbeat!

We here in the Tahoe Basin are blessed with a wealth of riches to have so many local State Parks that are such a vital part of our community and our tourism economy. To learn more about the Sierra State Parks Foundation and upcoming events, visit their website at: sierrastateparks.org 

THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!