Palomar Mountain to Stay Open

Palomar Mountain State Park, located about 15 miles southeast of Temecula, will be permitted to stay open for the next three years as long as local citizens are willing to cover the deficit between the park's income and expenses.

The agreement was finalized today with the signature of Ruth Coleman, Director of State Parks. Park aides, who had been laid off due to budget cut backs, have been rehired, and the campgrounds, which were permanently closed in October due to budget cuts, .

Under the agreement between the Department of Parks & Recreation and Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park -- the organization spearheading the stop-gap funding --- state parks will continue to maintain and operate Palomar with paid park staff for the next three years.

In exchange, the association will raise money to make up the difference between the park's revenues and costs. Both parties agree that the intent of the arrangement is to keep the park running at full operation, 365 days a year, but they acknowledge that this will depend largely on how much money the association raises through contributions from the public.

More than 300 individuals, corporations and foundations contributed the money needed to keep the park open for another year, the first in a three-year commitment. An on-going fund drive is underway to ensure the park's continued operation beyond the first year, as well as to pay for improvements to the park.

-- By the Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park