Friends of China Camp

It’s been 10 years since Friends of China Camp took over operations at China Camp State Park. Now, a decade later, it’s time to celebrate. Please join us this fall as we commemorate a decade of community support and partnership.

This special anniversary event, scheduled for October 6, will take place at China Camp Village. Speakers will include Congressman Jared Huffman, who was instrumental in FOCC being able to take over as park operator back in 2012. Also on hand will be Armando Quintero, Director of California State Parks and a long-time fan of China Camp and nonprofit relationships.

Also scheduled to speak at the October celebration will be Carol Acquaviva, archivist for the Anne T. Kent California Room at the Marin County Free Library. Ms. Acquaviva will share insights on China Camp and its place in Marin County history. In addition to these special speakers, the celebration will include dinner and entertainment.

So what makes this date so special? When China Camp State Park was slated for closure, the community came together to find ways to keep the park open, and assure its financial viability. Efforts finally paid off in 2012 when Huffman, then a member of the California State Assembly, crafted a law that allowed a partnership between Friends of China Camp and the California State Department of Parks and Recreation. “That’s what we’re commemorating this October,” says FOCC Executive Director Martin Lowenstein. “We want to send out a huge ‘thank you’ to the community for saving this amazing park—for everyone.”

Tickets for the October 6 event are now on sale. Cost is $125 per person and includes dinner.—by Harriot Manley, FOCC Volunteer