News from Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park

Back-story: When we announced our intention to create FPMSP back in August, we specifically excluded combating the closure within the association’s scope. There were good reasons for doing this. However, there are now even more compelling reasons to no longer limit our mission. Now that all other options for keeping Palomar open have been exhausted, it is time for us to rise to the occasion and take up the banner to Save Palomar. Our website tells it all: http://www.friendsofpalomarsp.org

So, in light of the impending closure and the length of time required to set up as cooperating association, we’ve decided to start out as a temporary division of CRSPIA (Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association), the non-profit 501(c)(3) association that has already been supporting Palomar for over two decades. Therefore, on December 3rd, the board of CRSPIA graciously voted to create a committee within CRSPIA called Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park. I happen to be chairman of this committee. This is a temporary arrangement until Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park can be established one day as a separate, independent cooperating association as originally intended. The purpose of this arrangement is to quickly create a focal point for assisting Palomar and raising money to keep Palomar open. Which brings me to my next point.

2. On December 16th, we submitted a proposal to the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) that outlines a way to keep Palomar open with the aid of financial contributions from the public.

Our proposal is simple: If DPR keeps Palomar open, Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park will fill the gap between income and expenses through donations from people like you. I’m not in a position at this time to specify the amount of the gap — this will depend on DPR’s response and the agreed-to level of operation. But once we determine what the gap is, this will become our target for fund raising purposes. Approval by DPR isn’t guaranteed, but at least we have a forum.