Our View: Keep historic Gold Discovery Park open to everyone
On Jan. 24, 1848, James Marshall discovered gold in Coloma. More than 160 years later, the state of California is looking to close Marshall Gold Discovery Park, built on the site of that historic discovery, which launched the gold rush and a massive migration west. More than 70,000 schoolchildren visit the historic park annually. It draws hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world. Closing the park, called the most historic of its kind west of the Missouri River, would have catastrophic consequences for the local economy. The state is looking to save approximately $500,000 in operating costs. But negative economic ripples will be felt a long way from the nearby South Fork of the American River. The park needs about $700,000 in annual revenue to pay for itself, according to Assemblyman Ted Gaines’ office. A fiscal conservative, but small businessman himself, Gaines is rightfully leading the charge, along with Ron Briggs, El Dorado County District 4 supervisor, to keep the park open. The Lotus-Coloma Chamber of Commerce and the Gold Discovery Park Association are also taking a stand, fighting to keep the park open, and the tourist dollars it lures flowing like the scenic river that runs through it. What’s ironic is that the state Legislature limited what schoolchildren and the public could be charged to visit Marshall Gold Discovery Park, eliminating the possibility of hundreds of thousands in additional revenue. That’s fine, during good times. After all, schoolchildren need to know their history. The park features Sutter’s Mill, storytelling docents wearing gold rush-era garb and much, much more. To now penalize the park for providing a low-cost, vital education cog to fourth-graders who must study California history as part of the state-mandated curriculum, is ludicrous. In Auburn, about a half-hour away, there has been much debate recently about the naming of Central Square. Many, including the Placer County Historical Society, have cited the importance of recognizing and celebrating our rich gold rush history. The Claude Chana statue in Old Town Auburn, showing him panning for gold, lures tourists off Interstate 80 and into our city. Highway 49 goes right through Auburn on its way to Coloma. No doubt countless tourists have taken this route over the years, many stopping and spending their dollars locally. The state must not be pennywise and pound-foolish. It must save our historic state park and all it has to offer. All hope is not lost. Assemblyman Gaines is hosting a town hall meeting Tuesday in Coloma aimed at stopping the park closure. The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution this week urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to reconsider. And the Coloma-Lotus chamber is uniting residents and area business owners to rally around our historic park. Marshall park is a gold nugget. It draws tourists from near and far. The state should listen to Assemblyman Gaines and Supervisor Briggs, both of whom understand the sometimes-fragile economies of the areas they represent. The state must keep Marshall Gold Discovery Park open. California should pan for flakes of savings somewhere else.
Keywords
Marshall Gold Discovery Park, Coloma, California, James Marshall, South Fork of the American River, Assemblyman Ted Gaines, Ron Briggs, El Dorado County District 4 supervisor, Lotus-Coloma Chamber of Commerce, Gold Discovery Park Association, Auburn, Central Square, Placer County Historical Society, Claude Chana, Old Town Auburn, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, El Dorado County Board of Supervisors,
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When is this discussion going to be framed honestly?
Even is the park is "closed" by the state, it doesn't cease to exist, and no one seems to be saying that the site itself won't be accessible. What's really being discussed is an suspension of the modern amenities and "interpretive" facilities, correct? It might cease to be a destination for busloads of schoolkids, and that's a shame, but let's discuss honestly whether or not -- in a fiscal crisis -- it's worth continuing for taxpayers to make up the $500K shortfall to provide a 4th grade field trip and goose up the tourist traffic a bit , A good number of these same tourists are STILL going to come for the river, other Gold Country attractions, and going to be content with parking on the side of the 49 and having a look-see at the Gold Discovery site, even if it's mothballed.
That said, if I was Dictator of Sacramento -- if state employee unions didn't own the legislature -- I'd EASILY find other things to cut first.
The Journal's position (August 28) regarding the Marshall Gold Discovery Park is truly ironic. The Journal incorrectly stated "...the state legislature limited what school children...could be charged to visit (the park)". In my experience, and to my knowledge, schools have never been charged fees for student admission to state or national parks for school sponsored curriculum related field trips. That would be like robbing Peter to pay Paul, which the Journal seems to be suggesting. Schools have been hit as hard as any other public agency.
Even more ironic is Assemblyman Ted Gaines hypocritically asking 'government' to step in to stop the park closure. As the potential for park closures loomed, local entities, businesses and foundations were to step up. The state couldn't do it we were told. Trim the 'fat' we were told. We have to pay our own way. Ted Gaines said a proposal for a $5 surcharge on vehicle registration was unfair since many people wouldn't use the parks even though free day use would would be a benefit. How many people from San Diego visit Coloma? I've never swum in the Dutch Flat pool yet I willingly vote for a parcel tax so that others in the community can. Which state park doesn't benefit the small businesses in their community? The Journal facetiously tells the state: "Pan for flakes somewhere else." The Journal doesn't tell us where, nor does Ted Gaines. The Gold Discovery Park is a nugget, as are all parks. "Penny wise and pound foolish"? You bet.
And, the irony and hypocracy? Once more, they are abundant. Unfortunately, applying simple math by some of our legislators isn't.
Some state lawmakers who supported park closures to balance the budget now are pressing the Schwarzenegger administration not to close parks in their districts to preserve these educational benefits along with the paychecks parks generate in surrounding communities. "Marshall Gold Discovery State Historical Park is where California began its rise to greatness," Assemblyman Ted Gaines wrote in a letter to Schwarzenegger on Aug. 24. "Please do not let it be where it also starts its decline." Please?...indeed!
A professor of recreation, parks and tourism administration at CSUS demonstrates park visitors generate far more economic benefit than parks cost to operate. As a result, towns near parks are bracing for an economic blow when the closure list is announced. A team of researchers recently completed the largest-ever economic survey of state park visitors. They polled more than 9,700 visitors at 27 parks over 18 months ending in February. They found that park visitors spend $4.3 billion annually both inside and outside the parks, averaging $57.63 in daily spending per visitor. Spending by out-of-state visitors alone dwarfs California's cost to operate parks. Nonresidents account for 12 percent of all park visitors. They spend three times more per day than the average, producing $1.6 billion in economic benefit for the state.