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By Melissa Baffa / Executive director of Friends of the Channel Coast State Parks
It almost sounds like the opening line from a stand-up comic’s routine: “What would happen if you combined resources from the State of California, a private company, a non-profit organization, and a political office?” But this is no joke; this is happening right now. California State Parks has formed a very successful partnership with the office of Ventura County Supervisor John Zaragoza, Southern California Gas Company and Friends of Channel Coast State Parks, to enhance McGrath State Beach.
It all started about 3½ years ago. McGrath State Beach was removed from the State closure list by a dedicated team of individuals and agencies who worked together to raise the needed funds to replace a failing sewer system. The generous donations from the County of Ventura, the City of Oxnard, Mr. Peter Mullin and a multitude of local families raised over $150,000 for McGrath State Beach. California State Parks under its Donation Match program allocated another $150,000 to spruce up the park and repair damage caused by the recurring flooding. Because of this successful history of banding together for a meaningful and important cause, this strong partnership is growing stronger.
Since McGrath State Beach reopened in July of 2012, California State Parks staff and its volunteers has spent an exhaustive amount of time and effort maintaining the campground and improving its facilities which have been damaged due to the flooding. Each time the campground floods, water damaged facilities must be repaired in order to reopen the campground facilities to the public. For two consecutive years, California State Parks has been able to reopen McGrath State Beach and accept visitors following nearly 10 months of locked gates and no public access due to flooding. When the flood waters recede there is mud on the roads, decaying fish, rusted fire rings and dead trees that need to be removed. Beyond those tasks, California State Park maintenance staff has completely overhauled three restroom facilities and repaired damage from recurring vandalism that has been a symptom of the closures.
Around the State, partnerships like the one at McGrath State Beach are becoming more and more important as limited public dollars are available for the State Park system. Last week, the McGrath State Beach partnership assembled for its third annual Earth Day clean-up. Debris and invasive plant species were removed, facilities cleaned and prepared for the next wave of visitors to McGrath State Beach. Without the donations from Southern California Gas Company and the leadership of Ventura County Supervisor John Zaragoza, this Earth Day event would not have achieved its desired result…a clean, safe park for the local community to be proud of and to protect.
Unfortunately, estuary waters will likely flood the park again and the plan for the future of McGrath State Beach will need a stronger, more robust partnership where all public and private stakeholders come together and ensure their park is open to the public 365 days a year.
It is imperative that entities like the City of Ventura, who benefit greatly by McGrath State Beach economically as well as a means to treat its effluent, join the McGrath State Beach partnership to end the flooding that occurs at this important park. Equally as important is for State elected officials to become as passionate about keeping this park open as the locals. Ultimately McGrath State Beach is a gem in the heart of an urban area. The people have made it clear that they value McGrath State Beach and enjoy spending their time vacationing there. Now is the time to join together, look beyond the flood waters and realize a future where McGrath State Beach is the focal point for the community.
There will of course be the challenge of finance as this new phase of work begins, as it will be costly to produce studies, plans, design work, permitting, and construction of new facilities. However, the existing partners are prepared to accept the challenge and rise to the occasion as they have proven possible time and time again. We invite any and all to join us in strengthening our fight as we progress to showcase this truly wonderful campground and the natural ecological wonderland that is the Santa Clara River Estuary.
You may ask what you can do to help. First, get involved and join Friends of Channel Coast State Parks. Signing up is easy from our website: www.friendsofccsp.org/support/become-a-member. Becoming a member keeps you informed about progress at McGrath State Beach and our other local State Parks. Also, be sure to recognize our partners and let them know you appreciate their support of McGrath State Beach, and that you would like to see that support continue. Finally, talk to your local and State elected officials about how they can support McGrath State Beach.
As the executive director of Friends of Channel Coast State Parks, I would like to thank California State Parks, Supervisor Zaragoza, Southern California Gas and members of our community for their continuing efforts to support and enhance McGrath State Beach. If you would like to contact us regarding McGrath State Beach and the other California State Parks in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, please email Friends of Channel Coast State Parks at info@friendsofccsp.org or call 805-626-0156. It will, once again, take a dedicated team forged in the ideals of partnership to restore this park and continue to ensure its enjoyment by future generations.
— Melissa Baffa is executive director of Friends of the Channel Coast State Parks, which has supported the interpretive and educational programs of the Channel Coast State Parks since 1984.
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