The state budget cuts continue to reveal themselves, and this week, I learned that all three of the state parks in the Gavilan sector where I live are likely to be shuttered. That includes Fremont Peak, the first place the American flag was planted in California and the home of the Fremont Peak Observatory. Though the official list of state parks, beaches, reserves and historical sites won't be released to the public until Labor Day weekend, the future doesn't look bright for the places in San Benito and south Santa Clara counties. Other sites likely to close include Henry Coe Park in Morgan Hill and the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. See Friday's Weekend Pinnacle for the full story.
Members of the Fremont Peak Observatory Association are hoping to change what seems to be an inevitable closure by inviting public leaders - and anyone who wants to see the park stay open - to a meeting Saturday, Aug. 22, at 5 p.m.
According to association members, Fremont Peak is the best place for astronomers within a 100 miles due to what they describe as the still coastal air that sweeps over into the valley. It is also high enough that low-lying fog covers up some of the city lights. And, of course, being in rural San Juan valley there are a lot less city lights to start.
Three years ago I had a chance to go up to the peak for a story. While most people might not want to spend a Saturday night working, I relished the chance to go up to the peak and check out the Challenger telescope. I brought along a photographer and a friend, and we stayed long after I was done asking questions of the association members for my story. I've stargazed in a few places, and aside from Kruger National Park in South Africa - about the most remote place I've ever been in the world - Fremont Peak offers the best view I've seen of the night sky. And that view may be gone forever if the park is closed as association members have said they would have to dismantle the telescope for security reasons.
San Juan State Historic Park, also in danger, has a special place in my memory as well. Like most fourth-graders in the region, I remember well my field trip to the San Juan Mission, the Plaza Hotel, and the stables when I was a kid. It was a step back into California history, and that, too, may be gone for future generations.
Though it may be too late, the California State Parks Foundation is trying to gather support through a "Save Our State Parks" event where they are trying to get as many people as possible to visit a state park.
If there is a state park near where you live, now would be a good time to visit...next month might be too late.
Thank you for writing about Fremont Peak State Park, and the Fremont Peak Observatory. I will be there on the 22nd, as well as the 29th. In fact, I've reserved the meeting room so that I can help a Boy Scout troop earn its Astronomy merit badge.
ReplyDeleteIt would be tragic if the observatory closed. Over the past several years I've had the privilige of giving a few presentations up at the peak, although never for a public night. Unless something changes, the presentation on the 29th may well be the last one done at the peak.