Calaveras Big Trees Project
Arnold, CA– Calaveras Big Trees State Park is getting closer to having a new visitor center.
Marcy Crawford, president of the Calaveras Big Trees Association said the Visitor Center Project has been in the works for about 15 years. Last month Mike Romo, the project director for the California Department of Parks and Recreation told the Calaveras Big Trees Association to start construction bids on October 1st. The $2.7 million dollar project could start construction as early as March of 2011.
“It looks like the project will be going forward. It something’s that’s been needed for so long. It’s wonderful because it’s finally happening.” People have been contributing to this fund, it takes a lot of time to raise a half a million dollars”, said association president Marcy Crawford.
The group raised $500,000 for the project. The rest of the money comes from a voter approved bond issue for state parks. The new visitor center could open in April of 2012 and will replace the current smaller visitor center. Focusing on the beauty of the giant sequoias, the new facility will have a bookstore, exhibits and space for educational programs. Big Trees became a state park in 1931 and has giant sequoias as high as 250 feet.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
