10th Annual Park Advocacy Day

Not able to attend Park Advocacy Day

You can still make a difference in the future of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Over 150 park advocates have registered for the March 20th Park Advocacy Day. In addition to having meetings with our state policymakers the advocates will deliver letters and pictures from park supporters like you.

Please take a few moments now to visit the California State Parks Foundation website and tell the policymakers why it is important to keep Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park open. Then ask your family and friends to upload letters and pictures to the CSPF website.

For more information about Park Advocacy Day contact the CSPF Sacramento office at 916-442-2119 or email Linsey@calparks.org



Stephen Hill, Sr.

10th Annual Park Advocacy Day

Don Hamlin & President Thomas Stratton
Park Advocacy Day 2011

It is important that Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is represented at this year’s Park Advocacy Day. Past budget cuts have already caused the hours and number of days the park is open to be reduced. The list of overdue maintenance and repairs continues to grow. And Governor Brown’s recently released fiscal year 2012-13 budget proposal contains additional cuts for California state parks.

Park Advocacy Day is a chance to visit the state capitol and let the governor and our other policy makers know how vital Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is. This event is free. However, you must register before February 23rd and complete an online training session.

For more information call California State Parks Foundation at (916) 442-2119 or email Linsey@calparks.org. You can also call Friends of Allensworth president Thomas Stratton at (530) 949-2168.


What: 10th Annual Park Advocacy Day

When: Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Time: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm

Where: Sacramento, Ca



Stephen Hill, Sr.

More Budget Cuts Proposed

Round two in the fight between California State Parks and Governor Jerry Brown began last week with the release of the governor’s fiscal year 2012-13 budget proposal. The proposal contains another $11 million cut for the Department of Parks and Recreation, the removal of seasonal life guards and the dismissal of 20 percent of the California State Park’s rangers.

Previous budget cuts have already forced Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park to be closed four days a week and on the days that it is open the hours have been shortened. Image the impact that the lost of a park ranger will have on our precious state park.

We cannot afford to sit at ringside, and do nothing, as the governor destroys California’s only state park designed to showcase the contributions of the state’s African American citizens. Now is the time to take action. Now is the time to defend the Allensworth legacy. Now is the time to tell the governor to stop dismantling our state park system.

Take a few minutes right now to go to the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) online action alert and let the governor know you oppose his budget cuts. Then encourage your family and friends to do the same.

If possible come represent Colonel Allensworth SHP at the CSPF’s Park Advocacy Day on March 20, 2012.

Stephen Hill, Sr.

9th Annual Park Advocacy Day

Credit: CSPF 2010

On Tuesday, March 22, 2011 the California State Parks Foundation will host the 9th annual Park Advocacy Day. Park Advocacy Day is an opportunity for state park supporters to meet face to face with California legislators to discuss our state parks and our concerns with the recent park closures, reduced operating hours, deferred maintenance, staff layoffs and budget cuts.


Park Advocacy Day is FREE however you must register online before February 12, 2011. Then Participate in an online/telephone briefing were you will receive the latest information about the state budget and policy issues that will have an effect on the state parks. Last year participants lobbied for Assembly Bill 2356(Carter), this bill would have established a buffer around Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.

Park Advocacy Day is a chance for us to let Governor Brown and the 40 new legislators know how important Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is to the history of African-Americans in California, and a chance to have a positive impact on the future of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.

The day will begin at 8:00 am with packet pickup and team assignments and end with a speaker’s panel from 4:30 – 5:3- pm. This year’s award recipients will be honored at a reception in the Elks Tower ballroom following the speakers’ panel. Go to the California State Parks Foundation website to register and/or view a tentative itinerary.

For more information on Park Advocacy Day, please contact the California State Parks Foundation's Sacramento office at (916) 442-2119 or email Linsey@calparks.org.



Stephen Hill, Sr.

Assembly Bill 2356

On February 19, 2010 Assembly Member Amina Carter introduced Assembly Bill 2356. The bill establishes a 2.5 mile buffer a round Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park that would prohibit development that is incompatible with the historical or recreational significance of the park.

AB 2356 is one of bills that the California State Parks Foundation asked legislators to support during Park Advocacy Day 2010.

You can read the complete bill on the California State Senate site.


Stephen Hill, Sr.

State Parks Grassroots Champion Award

The Friends of Allensworth is one of the organizations to receive the California State Parks Foundation’s new award, the State Parks Grassroots Champion Award. The new award honors the organizations, businesses and community groups that have worked to keep California State parks open. In both of the past two years California State parks were scheduled for closure, they were kept open only by the efforts of state park advocates. On Monday, March 8, 2010 the California State Parks Foundation will honor the awardees at their Park Advocacy Day reception in Sacramento.

Stephen Hill, Sr.

8th Annual Park Advocacy Day

February 19th is the deadline to register for the California State Parks Foundation’s 8th Annual Park Advocacy Day. The 2010 Park Advocacy Day is Monday, March 8th, at the state capitol in Sacramento.


Park Advocacy Day is an opportunity to sit down with our state legislators, their staff and members of the Governor’s administration, and let them know how important Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is to the state of California. To remind them that Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is more than a place of recreation, that it preserves not only an important part of California history, but a vital part of American history. African Americans came to Allensworth from all parts of the United States to pursue the American dream.

The day will begin with registration where you will be assigned to a team of 4-6 people then assemble in the secretary of state’s auditorium for welcome remarks and an overview of the day’s goals. Then participants will participate in après conference at the state capitol. After the press conference the teams will meet with legislators. Teams typically go to 3 – 5 offices during the day, there will also be an afternoon speakers panel followed by a park advocacy day reception.

There is no cost to participate in the park advocacy day, but registration is required.


Stephen Hill, Sr.