PARTNERSHIPSPresident’s Message – May 2025By Margaret Rhyne
The California State Park Department of Parks and Recreation has a long history of working hand in hand with many governmental agencies and nonprofits to maintain the park infrastructure necessary to accomplish its mission to “inspire, educate and preserve.” Creating and maintaining infrastructure was a major challenge from the beginning and continues to this day as fluctuating political and economic climates create maintenance obstacles. But ironically, it was during a time of great economic and political upheaval that a federal agency was created that engineered many of the iconic California State Park features that we enjoy and admire today.
In 1933 the Civilian Conservation Corps was created by President Franklin Roosevelt in response to the devastation caused by the twin disasters of environmental destruction and financial failures that we now call the Great Depression. The “CCC” soon became the most popular of the “New Deal” programs. It put millions of young men to work on a massive building program in Americas' parks and forests. The CCC gave enrollees a “… renewed sense of dignity and hope. They were not only earning a living, they were doing something important for their country, and they knew it. Roads and trails, campsites and social halls, amphitheaters and visitor centers numbered among the many features constructed by the CCC that provided the public with unprecedented access to the nation's natural and historic treasures.” (Civilian Conservation Corps in California State Parks)
Big Basin Redwood Lodge Under Construction
Left to Right: Making Adobe Bricks for Mission La Purisima Reconstruction, Big Sur Outdoor Theater Under Construction
In the 1930s, the CCC worked with California State Parks to construct buildings, trails, bridges and ramadas in many park units including Anza-Borrego, Big Sur, Mount San Jacinto, Mission La Purisima and Big Basin Red Woods. In total, twenty-nine California State Parks benefited from the work of the CCC during the Great Depression. Much of the work featured fine stonework that continues to enhance buildings, ramadas, and boundary walls in many state parks today. (One of the favorites for our family of these construction projects are the three large stone and beam ramadas in the main campground in Anza Borrego State Park.) A complete list of parks and structures can be found on the California State Park website page: Index of CCC features in California State Parks. In 1942, man power demands created by WWII resulted in the disbanding of the original CCC. However, the spirit of the CCC lived on and in the Bicentennial Year of 1976, the California Conservation Corps was created by the passage of Senate Bill 1575, signed by Governor Jerry Brown. This new “CCC” responds to natural and man-made disasters and continues the work of the original CCC by supporting infrastructure work in our state parks. In 2017, PRMDIA was honored to be a part of the reopening of Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, the home of Mitchell Caverns. The park was closed for a number of years due to long needed repairs. One of the most important challenges involved the rebuilding of the trail to the Caverns, damaged over the years by the often-fierce summer monsoons. The CCC and State Park Trails teams worked together on the trail from 2016 to 2018. They improved the trail for erosion, adding steps and walls and drainage structures. From Providence Mountains – Mitchell Caverns Park Interpreter Andy Fitzpatrick, “They also installed a new bridge that crosses the canyon just below the large and dramatic north natural entrance to Mitchell Caverns. Their work was/is outstanding. It has been 7 years now and the trail is in remarkably good shape. The stonework is of the caliber of the original CCC and visitors are impressed by it.” The California Conservation Corps also assisted during the reopening ceremony for Mitchell Caverns and PRMDIA volunteers who worked with them at the ceremony were greatly impressed by these fine young men and women. Video: Reconstruction of Trail to Mitchell Caverns More Links: The CCC and State Parks, History of the Civilian Conservation Corps, California Conservation Corps Download the PDF: Partnerships, President's Message, May 2025


WHAT’S IN A NAME President's Message March 2025 by Margaret Rhyne
In the case of each California State Park, the official name reflects its category within the state park system. There are 280 park “units” in our state park system and many different categories for those units. PRMDIA is the California State Park Cooperating Association for five different “units” that fall under four different categories: State Park, State Natural Reserve, State Historic Unit, and State Recreation Area. Two PRMDIA parks are categorized at state parks - Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park and Saddleback Butte State Park. The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is a State Natural Reserve or SNR. Its full official name is Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve. This is quite a mouthful so it is more commonly referred to as the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. Tomo-Kahni in Tehachapi is a state historic park or SHP, Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park. Finally, one park has two classifications: Providence Mountains State Recreational Area (SRA) is the home of Mitchell Caverns State Natural Reserve (SNR). So what do these categories mean?
State ParksThis is the most flexible category for state park units. It allows for both resource protection and recreational use. Parks in this category can contain a variety of facilities including visitor centers, campgrounds, restrooms and trails. Saddleback Butte State Park contains all of these features. In addition, it protects the last Joshua tree woodland in the eastern Antelope Valley from development and provides a trail and facilities for equestrians. Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park (west of the Poppy Reserve) features interpretive information, trails and protection for an outstanding desert woodland of California Junipers and Joshua trees. Both Saddleback Butte SP and Ripley Desert Woodland SP have restrooms and picnic areas. (For more information:
State Natural ReservesThe purpose of SNRs is to preserve land with unique plants and animals, geological features, or scenic qualities to a “condition of undisturbed integrity.” This type of park typically provides fewer recreational activities so that the natural ecosystem remains as undisturbed as possible. SNRs may have few amenities such as campgrounds or extensive open space accessible to the public. The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve provides trails, a picnic area, restrooms and drinking water. Visitors are asked to stay on trails to preserve the ecosystem. Unlike many SNRs, the Poppy Reserve does have a visitor center, the “Jane Pinheiro Interpretive Center,” open yearly from March 1 through Mother’s Day in May.
Mitchell Caverns State Natural Reserve is in the eastern Mojave Desert inside of Providence Mountain State Recreation Area. The natural caverns feature intricate formations including stalagmites, stalactites, helictites, draperies and cave coral. To protect these unique natural features, entrance to the caverns is by guided tour only. The site also includes a visitor center which was once the home of Ida and Jack Mitchell who operated a resort at the caverns from 1934 – 1954 and offered guided cavern tours to the public. Click here for tour information: Mitchell Caverns Tours
State Historical Units The purpose of state historical units is to “preserve places, structures and artifacts of historical, archaeological and scientific importance.” Parks in this category include historic parks and historical monuments and museums. Some historical parks provide extensive interpretive programs exploring cultural history including the story of the First Californians, Spanish and Mexican eras and gold rush history. Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park in Tehachapi, protects the area that was once the winter home of the Kawaiisu or Nuwa people. It is near Tehachapi. The location was likely chosen for its moderate temperature and plentiful resources. The Kawaiisu are noted for their finely woven baskets of intricate and colorful design. Many Kawaiisu still live in the Tehachapi area. To protect the cultural features of the park, public access is provided only by making a reservation for a guided tour. Click here for tour information: Tomo-Kahni
State Recreation AreasThe primary purpose of SRAs is to provide outdoor recreational opportunities that address community needs that are both local and statewide. These parks may also be close to cities or highways and can accommodate large numbers of people participating in outdoor activities. SRAs offer a variety of recreational opportunities including hiking, boating and swimming. Providence Mountains State Recreation Area protects a pristine expanse of desert and mountains surrounding Mitchell Caverns. A campground has recently reopened and three different interpretive trails are available to visitors. Wildlife includes migratory birds such as mountain and western bluebirds, desert tortoises, bobcats, badgers and big horn sheep. In years with adequate rainfall, native wildflowers bloom. All natural features and wildlife are protected. More information: Providence Mtns - Mitchell Caverns
Other categories for State Park Units include State Seashores, State Cultural Reserves, State Wilderness, State Marine Areas and State Vehicular Areas.
Who Decides?Classifying California parks under the correct category includes a detailed process. First an inventory of natural and historic features is made and possible recreational activities identified. Then an evaluation is conducted to determine the purpose of the park and how it will best serve both the local community and the people of California. Recommendations are then made to the State Park Recreation Commission. Finally, a public review process is conducted by the Recreation Commission that allows for public input. Once the category is determined, the park name that reflects this category is created and included on maps, websites, signs and brochures.
Many thanks to the California State Park Foundation for providing much of this information. Sources: California State Parks Foundation California state park classifications Information also available through California State Parks: California State Parks Planning Handbook