SYRCL Secures $25,000 to Help Save Malakoff Diggins State Park from Closure

The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) was awarded $25,000 from the California State Parks Foundation to help save Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, which preserves the world’s largest hydraulic mine dating back to 1852.

These new monies combined with donations from the Malakoff Diggins Park Association, the Olmsted Park Fund, and potential funding from the California State Parks Department provide a one year reprieve and will keep the state park, which was slated to close July 1^st due to budget cutbacks, open to the public this year.  

“This generous stop-gap funding from the California State Parks Foundation gives us the breathing room to work with local State Parks staff to develop a long-term solution to save the historic Malakoff Diggins,” said Caleb Dardick, Executive Director of the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL). “With this welcome reprieve, we will focus on long-term solutions such as getting a comprehensive solar power system installed at the park, which could save $60,000 to $80,000 per year in diesel fuel costs for generators and benefit the environment as well.”

According to State Parks officials, Malakoff Diggins will reopen for limited weekend-only operations starting Friday, July 20, 2012.  The park museum and historic buildings will be open to the public Friday through Sunday for talks, tours, and gift shop sales. Three popular “miner’s cabins,” will be available for rent through Reserve America into early fall and again next spring. The campground, however, will remain closed until further funding becomes available. All park facilities and operations will close for the winter on Sunday, September 30, 2012, and will re-open May 1, 2013.

“Although the available funding doesn’t allow for seven days a week operation,” stated Sierra District Superintendent Marilyn Linkem, “it does allow us to offer services throughout the summer on weekends. We look forward to working with SYRCL to develop a long-term funding solution.”

SYRCL is one of ten nonprofit organizations fighting to keep State Parks open across the state that received one-year funding from the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF).

“We are pleased to support SYRCL’s efforts to keep Malakoff Diggins State Park open,” said CSPF President Elizabeth Goldstein. “In addition to their efforts at South Yuba River State Park, we are confident SYRCL, with their creative thinking and innovative approaches, will be able to help State Parks develop a long-term solution for Malakoff, as well.”

SYRCL relies on the generosity of our community to achieve successes like saving the parks.  Become a dues-paying member or renew your support—and allow us to continue this good work; donations of all amounts are greatly appreciated and truly make a difference.