Friends still helping Palomar Mountain State Park

By J. Harry Jones / The San Diego Union Tribune

Three years ago, Palomar Mountain State Park – where generations of campers and hikers have gone to get a taste of the Sierras right here in San Diego County – was threatened with closure do to the budget crunch in Sacramento.

Things looked bleak for the park — one of 70 in the state that officials said were operating in the red— until a group of people came together to help out. They had nothing more in common than fond memories of time spent atop the mountain.

The goal of Friends of Palomar was to raise enough money to offset the difference between the cost of running the North County park and the revenue it brings in from day-use and camping fees.

In the end, no state parks were shuttered during the budget crunch, but Friends of Palomar has continued to raise funds and help out the local park any way it can.

“We’re focusing now more on outreach to get people, especially children, to the park – disadvantaged kids many of who have never been in the mountains,” said Rick Barclay, president of the association.

“Even if there never had been a threat of closure there is always a need for an association like Friends of Palomar to exist to help support the park system,” he said. “California parks never have enough money to do all the things they need to do.”

This past year the group has funded a part-time seasonal park interpreter, whose main job will be to reach out to the community to get children to the park. (Read More)

Photo Credit: Della Huff