San Lorenzo Redwoods become part of Castle Rock State Park

The Sempervirens Fund has sold the remaining 1069 acres of the San Lorenzo River Redwoods to the California Department of Parks and Recreation for the bargain price of almost $2.8 million. This sale to the State was the second and final phase of the land transfer. Previously, State Parks paid $2.2 million for 277 acres of the property.

Sempervirens paid over $12 million for the two properties financed by over 15 thousand generous private donors. The State funding came from recent park bonds (Prop. 40) passed by the voters of California.

The land will become part of Castle Rock State Park and will increase the size of that park by 37%.

The purchase almost didn't happen because of a de facto freeze on acquiring land for State Parks because of the state budget. The State Department of Finance's current policy prohibits the use of state money to cover the operating costs of newly-acquired parkland.

This policy could also affect acquisition by the State of Coast Dairies beaches south of Davenport and other local properties.

Sempervirens Fund will use the proceeds of this sale to replenish its Opportunity Fund to preserve more redwood forestland.

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