2020 - Improvements Move Forward at the Poppy Reserve

An important resource protection project is moving forward at the Poppy Reserve. Project will line all park trails to clearly indicate the borders of trails and public areas. This will help park visitors avoid venturing off trails. PRMDIA purchased the material for this project (metal poles, wire cables and installation equipment) and State Park personnel are doing the installation. (Photo 1 in the second row from 2019 shows what happens when visitors go off trail). A recent generous donation from Elsie Purdy, a long-time PRMDIA member and State Park volunteer, is moving this project closer to completion. Because of Elsie’s donation, PRMDIA was able to purchase an additional 7,700 feet of new materials. We are very grateful for this donation! In August we were able to meet Elsie at the Poppy Reserve to show her an installed section of the fencing. Photo below of Elsie courtesy of Darrell Walters. Photos below also show another improvement that was in place prior to the start of the abbreviated 2020 wildflower season: new striping and directional signage for the parking lot. Striping clearly defines parking for visitors, staff and volunteers. New arrows makes the parking lot one way, helping with traffic control and protecting pedestrians. Thank you to state park personnel for the "new" parking lot at the Poppy Reserve.

Local Business Helps with Poppy Reserve Project

PRMDIA would like to send a huge thank you to Consolidated Electric Distributers (CED) of Lancaster. CED recently made a significant contribution to the ongoing trail fencing project at the Poppy Reserve. We purchased (and then donated to State Parks) the metal poles used for the project at the Reserve. This type of pole (also called an eye bolt) was originally designed to provide stability for electrical grid infrastructure. Several decades ago, State Parks began to use these poles, with cable strung in between, for resource protection in various state parks. Due to the weight of the poles, transportation and delivery is a significant issue. We are very fortunate that CED was willing to work with us and the Great Basin District of California State Parks to provide free delivery of 1,188 of these poles to the Poppy Reserve, in addition to absorbing other costs associated with the purchase. Thank you CED of Lancaster for being a great partner for PRMDIA and the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Park. Installed poles shown in photos above.

New Mural for Saddleback Butte State Park

We are delighted to report that work on a mural at Saddleback Butte State Park is underway! Local artist Jedd Strange has begun the process of creating an artistic depiction of the eastern Antelope Valley desert on the outside of the visitor center at Saddleback. Jedd recently completed a mural featuring the history of local transportation in Mojave on the outside of the Mission Bank Building. This mural, that also depicts desert flora and fauna, is nearly one block long. He has created other outdoor murals including the Rosamond Chamber of Commerce building and at Willow Springs Racetrack. The mural at Saddleback will cover three sides of the cinder block visitor center and is being funded by PRMDIA and the Support Saddleback Committee in cooperation with the Great Basin District of California State Parks (formerly the Tehachapi District).

Photos from the Poppy Reserve Spring 2020 Courtesy of Marsha Neill

More Photos from Spring 2020

Courtesy of Lynn DuPratt

Courtesy of Marti Lindsey

Courtesy of Lynn DuPratt

Collage by Toni Wagner

Courtesy of Margaret Rhyne

Courtesy of Lynn DuPratt

Last Day of the Season - Mother's Day 2020 - Photos Courtesy of John Martin