Save McGrath State Beach

One of 70 California State Parks on the closure list due to the state budget crisis... And it has been saved...for now.  The repairs will begin in Jan 2012, be looking for the park to go back on the reservation system by Summer 2012.  Read about it on VC Star http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/dec/29/sewer-work-at-mcgrath-will-start-in-january/ OPENED FOR CAMPING and day use through October, weekends only McGrath had been granted 2 extra months to stay opened due to the overwhelming support from other agencies and the community but Mother Nature shut down McGrath a few weeks early, due to the rain storm of Oct 4th/5th.  (McGrath usually does close down in the wet months).  The number to McGrath is 805-654-4744, check back in a couple of months and watch this page and the Save McGrath State Beach Facebook Page for updates.      WAYS TO HELP: Donate to the McGrath State Beach Contingency Fund.  You will find the donation bin on the front of the Kiosk at the entrance to McGrath during the months the park is opened, for now use the mailing address below.  With 300,000 campers a year, if everyone threw in just a few bucks we would have already fixed the pipe--even something small adds up quick!  Donations can be mailed to: McGrath State Beach, Channel Coast district 911 San Pedro Street Ventura, CA 93001  A note should be included with the check, or written in the comment line something like “for McGrath State Beach Contingency Fund”.  Spread the word!  300,000 visitors a year but we have only about 1200 fans of Save McGrath...we still have a lot of people to reach.  Please invite friends to join the Save McGrath Facebook page, hand out flyers at community events, at the grocery store parking lot, get flyers up in local businesses, encourge businesses to post about our FB page and effort on their websites and Facebook pages.  Put a "Save McGrath Join Us on Facebook" bumper sticker on your car, good way to get our effort out there.  Either make your own or buy one Save McGrath has already made:  http://www.zazzle.com/cin4711?rf=238077013117497687   Participate in Fundraiser events--see the list and details here: http://www.facebook.com/SaveMcGrathStateBeach?sk=events BACKGROUND & more ways to help: McGrath State Beach finished at 6th place in the Coca-Cola $100,000 park grant contest with over 400,000 votes!  We all made a very valiant effort to get in the top 3 (which would have won a grant for the park).  But just having McGrath voted in the top 10 nation-wide America’s Favorite Parks is a major accomplishment in itself.  We did good, great exposure for McGrath.  This year we learned what we need to do to possibly win next time--and we also hope to see the other closure parks at the top.  America is Your Park 2012 anyone? ;)  With a little pre-planning...  Be looking for this contest again in June 2012. If you have any other ideas or suggestions and would like to help McGrath just call up State Parks Sup Eric Hjelstrom at 805-585-1850 or email him at ehjelstrom@parks.ca.gov  -- volunteers and donations are welcomed!  We need help getting more members or "Likes" for Save McGrath FB page, please post your interest in helping on our wall.  McGrath SB in Oxnard. CA was scheduled to close down September 6th 2011 at noon due to lack of funds to fix an aging sewage line...a $500k repair.  Basically this problem condemns the park and therefore it was added to the State Parks closure list.   The initial news article about the closure can be found here: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/ventura_county&id=8072521  However our campaign to bring awareness to the issue and express both local and out of town interest in keeping McGrath opened has been a huge success!!!  McGrath was given an extra two months to remain opened which you can read about here:  http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/aug/30/mcgrath-state-beach-to-remain-open-at-least-2/ The revised closure date for McGrath was October 30th, 2011 but as previously mentioned the park was officially closed for the season Oct 6th.  Either it will be closed for repairs or just closed, finalizing grants and matching funds is currently in process, keep your fingers crossed...but it's looking very good. Elected officials from all levels (City of Oxnard, County of Ventura, State Assemblyman Das Williams and State Senator Fran Pavley) gave a tremendous outpour of support in our efforts!  Check out this video of the rally for McGrath:  http://www.keyt.com/news/local/Rally-To-Save-Mcgrath-State-Beach-128499373.html    9/9/2011 Ventura County Star article "Local leaders pushing for $200,000 in public funding to save McGrath park" http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/sep/09/local-leaders-pushing-for-200000-in-public-to/ Please write letters and/or make phone calls thanking the local elected officials for their support of McGrath SB.  Contact info can be found here: City of Oxnard, Mayor & City Council: http://citycouncil.cityofoxnard.org/Default.aspx?DepartmentID=3   County of Ventura, Supervisor John Zaragoza: http://portal.countyofventura.org/portal/page/portal/bos/bos_district_5 Assemblymember Das Williams: http://asmdc.org/members/a35/ Senator Fran Pavley: http://dist23.casen.govoffice.com/ A study was released estimating each state parks visitor spends about $25 to $58 in its local area.  If so, McGrath SB has 300,000 visitors a year which contribute a lot of $ to the local economy of Oxnard and Ventura.  When you camp at McGrath, if you spend any money in Oxnard or Ventura save your receipts, total them up and send that information to all the elected officials above and to State Parks Eric Hjelstrom at ehjelstrom@parks.ca.gov   Real numbers from real people.  I’m sure this effort will be appreciated!  Let’s continue to show the economic value of McGrath!!!  By the way, my summer camp group for 5 days at McGrath (4 campsites of people) added up to a little over $1200.00 our group spent in the local community--we did send all the details of this to all the officials.  Even if the sewage line and lift station problem is resolved McGrath still needs some restrooms repaired or maybe upgraded and some campsite relocation as those near the river flood in the winter.  Some people have suggested additional natural landscaping improvements and more attention on educational programs at the park.  All this is within reason and if people would like to help just call up State Parks Sup Eric Hjelstrom at 805-585-1850 or email him at ehjelstrom@parks.ca.gov  –  when the park closure was announced that is exactly what I did, I called and asked how I help.  I also called the local elected officials and asked.  All were more than accommodating and look at where McGrath is today! Very importantly thank State Parks, our own Ranger Jelly revealed as Sup Eric Hjelstrom who has been a great partner in all this.  Also thank Sup Rich Rozzelle.  Both can be reached at 805-585-1850.  Also thank all your McGrath camp hosts, volunteers and State Parks workers, they too have worked hard to Save McGrath! For now stay tuned...more news to come over the next few weeks as we wait for more info on the Fed grant to fix the sewage pipe :) CURRENT EVENTS: Jolly Oyster: Tasty way to help (from Sept 24th to Oct 31st 2011): Go to the Jolly Oyster at San Buena Ventura State Beach, tell them "Ranger Jelly sent me".  Buy at least 1 dozen Kumamoto Oysters ($14.40 per dozen). For every dozen sold, $4.40 will be donated by the Jolly Oyster to the McGrath State Beach Contingency fund!  Escape Luxury Salon: Will donate up to 30% of any hair service done by Stacey Jolls-Casey during the month of October when you mention this FB page. SEE DETAILS FOR THESE EVENTS AT:  http://www.facebook.com/SaveMcGrathStateBeach?sk=events UPCOMING EVENTS: California State Park Series McGrath Beach, 10K Marathon (5K kids) Saturday, February 11, 2012 (more info to be posted closer to the event date) more info http://www.active.com/running/oxnard-ca/california-state-park-series-mcgrath-beach-2012 A look back, news articles in July & August: http://vcpublicrelationsinsight.com/mcgrath-state-beach-community-rallies-to-save http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/aug/16/deal-aims-to-keep-open-mcgrath-state-beach/ http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=8304418 http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/aug/11/supervisor-pitches-idea-to-keep-mcgrath-state/?partner=VenturaTalk_com http://www.keyt.com/news/local/Online-Effort-Underway-To-Save-McGrath-State-Beach-Park-127495433.html?skipthumb=Y http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/aug/05/as-closure-looms-mcgrath-state-beach-looks-to/ http://www.facebook.com/SaveMcGrathStateBeach#!/video/video.php?v=252819131403429&comments     http://www.weekendsherpa.com/stories/mcgrath-state-beach-bird-refuge/ Campground Map: http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/607/files/McGrathSBCmpGrdMap.pdf Park brochure: http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/607/files/McGrath.pdf http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/607/files/McGrathSBCmpGrdMap.pdf Park brochure: http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/607/files/McGrath.pdf http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/607/files/McGrathSBCmpGrdMap.pdf Park brochure: http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/607/files/McGrath.pdf http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/607/files/McGrathSBCmpGrdMap.pdf Park brochure: http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/607/files/McGrath.pdf http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/607/files/McGrathSBCmpGrdMap.pdf Park brochure: http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/607/files/McGrath.pdf http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/607/files/McGrathSBCmpGrdMap.pdf Park brochure: http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/607/files/McGrath.pdf http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/607/files/McGrathSBCmpGrdMap.pdf Park brochure: http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/607/files/McGrath.pdf

Please also support saving all California State closure parks, more info at http://www.caopenspace.org/action.html Click here to see more McGrath State Beach campground photos. Click here to see more McGrath Beach photos. California Quail Click here to see more McGrath State Beach wildlife photos. Click here to see more McGrath State Beach sunset photos.   Click here to see more photos of the Santa Clara Estuary Natural Preserve at McGrath.       Turkey Vultures on the beach

Who to Contact: Email and Phone number California Governor Jerry Brown: http://gov.ca.gov/m_contact.php Find your California State Representatives Contact info: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html City of Oxnard, Mayor & City Council (a good point to them is how much $ you spend in that city when you visit McGrath):  http://citycouncil.cityofoxnard.org/Default.aspx?DepartmentID=3 City of Ventura, Mayor & City Council a good point to them is how much $ you spend in that city when you visit McGrath):  http://www.cityofventura.net/about/citycouncil Note when contacting the City of Oxnard and Ventura another good thing to ask, can the city assist with funding the sewage line repair?  These two cities benefit from this park, it would be a good investment.  Ventura County would be another good one to contact. California State Parks, TEL 800-777-0369 (if you have a skill to offer a repair or other idea please talk to the District Superintendent office 805-585-1850) California Coastal Commission, South Central Coast District Office 89 South California Street, Suite 200 Ventura, CA 93001-2801 (805) 585-1800 Fax Number:  805-641-1732 “Peter Douglas, executive director of the California Coastal Commission, said beaches on the closure list cannot be closed without a permit from the California Coastal Commission because of the state's 1976 Coastal Act. Even then, he said, state park rangers cannot ban anyone from walking on wet sand up to the "mean high-tide line" on any beach, as written in the state constitution.”  Read the full article on legal issues with the closures here: http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_18156854?nclick_check=1 McGrath is in California Senate District 23 and Assembly District 41, contact info for California State Representatives for these districts: Senator Fran Pavley -District SD23: http://dist23.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={8C364E2F-E1B4-4AFB-9C85-19DE36BC03DD} Assemblymember Julia Brownley -District AD41: http://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD41&

Petitions to sign: A petition against closing state parks with rivers. McGrath is on the list. We could add a personal comment, Santa Clara River is one of the few natural rivers all the way to the ocean which we have left. McGrath's failing sewage line hangs above it & should be fixed to protect the river--just closing the park in hopes it won't leak into the river isn't good enough.  https://secure2.convio.net/fotr/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=267 Link to make suggestions to California State Parks and others we could partner with to get something done:  http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26754    California State Parks Foundation’s petition to your legislators and the Governor opposing state park closures https://secure3.convio.net/cspf/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=289 current status of SB 580 -- it did not make through Assembly.  But it may go back on the table next year :( Senate Bill 580 stipulates that state park lands cannot be used for non-park purposes, this bill is currently in the Assembly Water, Parks & Wildlife Committee, petition to legislatures to vote it in (would help prevent closed parks from becoming another development hopefully).  It would be a good idea to call your California Assemblymember in case the target of this petition hasn’t been updated as it was originally mailed to the senate: http://www.change.org/petitions/support-california-senate-bill-580-to-help-protect-state-parks Current status of AB 42, Gov. Brown has signed it!!!  Please call Gov Browns office at 916-445-2841 and say "thank you for signing AB 42 into law" This bill will help closed state parks stay opened. CSPF is sponsoring AB 42 with Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-Marin) to allow nonprofit organizations to help take a direct role in helping prevent park closures. The bill allows DPR to enter into operating agreements for the improvement, restoration, care, maintenance, administration, or operation of a unit or units of the state park system with qualified nonprofit organizations.  Find out more about AB42 here:  http://www.calparks.org/press/2011/california-state-parks-foundation-urges-statewide-action-in-light-of-looming-park-closures.html Take action with California State Parks Foundation, more info:  http://www.calparks.org/ Make sure to take the online poll "Do you think closing state parks is is a smart way to save $?" http://forums.mercurynews.com/poll/do-you-think-closing-parks-is-a-smart-way-to-save-money-in-state-budget

More information Points below could be “talking points” in personalizing your petition signatures, making phone calls to officials and letters: The sewer line which needs repaired runs under the Harbor Blvd bridge above the Santa Clara River Estuary. Whether or not McGrath is closed this pipe could eventually break and leak to some degree threatening coastal waters and the sensitive estuary habitat. Generally speaking sewage leaks in the ocean lead to other problems like human health due to polluted beaches and damage to fisheries/ocean life. Santa Clara River & Estuary is one of the very few natural rivers all the way to the ocean we have left in this state. The sewage line needs fixed or McGrath can't reopen. It still needs some restrooms repaired or maybe upgraded and some campsite relocation as some campsites near the river flood in the winter so fixing the sewage line is only part of the issue but a very costly one.  Maybe a combination of donations, city/county help, grants of somekind, could be used to help. A quote from a recent news article: "Two years ago, when then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed closing 220 state parks...After receiving 135,000 cards, emails and letters of opposition from the public, he dropped the idea."  Maybe with enough public comment we can get the decision to close the parks rolled back. Recent news articles quote other public agencies who say closure of many of these parks is unlawful. 11 state beach closures fall in the coastal act and must have a closure permit from the California Coastal Commission--blocking access to the shoreline is against the law. 16 state parks have received Federal grant $ which the agreement includes the parks must remain in operation, so closing is not an option for those particular parks--does this mean they will just pick a different hit list? The public needs to tell our state reps and governor that isn't an option either, we need our state parks. Note California State Parks doesn't want this closure to be anything but temporary.  But it's definately a problem with the State Budget Crisis...and who knows when that will be over.

Find Save McGrath State Beach on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SAVE-Mcgrath-State-Beach/125819574163318  Also see the McGrath State Beach Page on CAopenspace: http://www.caopenspace.org/mcgrath.html