Landowners donate big former development site near Auburn for state parks expansion

More than 400 undeveloped acres in Placer County will become state parks property.
The land, currently owned by the Placer Land Trust, will be donated to California State Parks, which operates the neighboring Auburn State Recreation Area. Along with the donation will come $95,000 to cover management of the 417 acres, said Placer Land Trust executive director Jeff Darlington.

The gift of Big Bend: Placer Trust gives land to state parks

eneath birds overhead and undisturbed ponderosa pines Thursday, leaders of Placer Land Trust officially donated 417 acres of American River lands to California State Parks.

The public land was the largest amount given in Northern California to state parks, about the size of Disneyland, said nonprofit Placer Land Trust, which has protected about 8,000 acres since its creation.

The “Big Bend North Fork Preserve” is part of the Auburn State Recreation Area east of Applegate and offers several access points to rafters, swimmers and kayakers.

Photo Credit: Della Huff