A “history and culture” pass – sweetened with deals from local retailers – could return up to $36,000 annually to the state park budget, the City/State Parks Working Group was told Wednesday.
As presented by group volunteer Philip Sales, the booklet would include a day-pass to the Sonoma Historical Park, the Sonoma Museum of Modern Art, and the Depot Park Museum. The “one pass for all’’ would also include discounts and special offers from local retailers.
“The merchants are very interested in something like this.” Sales said an informal canvas of Plaza businesses showed that “21 are committed to do some kind of partnership.”
Sales said the booklet would be “reasonably priced, around $10” and be sold at three parks sites and the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau (SVVB) locations. Wendy Peterson, SVVB executive director, added that hotels and bed and breakfast sites would likely sell the booklet as well.
“I like the pass as a partnership between business and the parks,” said Karla Noyes of the Docent Council. “That’s been missing in the past.”
Stressing that the concept and figures were very preliminary, Sales said that “if we sold 1,000 a month, that would mean $36,000 per year to the state parks.” The money would be booked as use-fees, not as a donation, so the money would go to the California State Parks general fund. Still, the local park would get credit for the revenue.
Mayor Ken Brown, who chaired the meeting, said the concept is a great model for something that benefits both the parks and the local economy. “I believe there are major positives for the city of Sonoma,” he said.
Based on suggestions from the group, Sales will refine the idea and bring a more detailed plan to the next meeting. “There’s a real consensus for going forward,” Brown said.
On a larger scale, parks district superintendent Dave Gould endorsed the good works of the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF). The protest against cuts to the parks budget may have created an opportunity to pass a $15 DMV surcharge, allowing all California licensed cars free entry to all parks. “We’re hoping the foundation can polish that up as an initiative and get it on the ballot, he said.
The CSPF is the beneficiary of a fundraising campaign at the Sonoma Mission Inn.
Through Nov. 1, all Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in the state will be providing guests the opportunity to contribute $1 dollar per room night, with funds earmarked for Tourism Cares and the California Save Our Parks Campaign.
The Sonoma Mission Inn’s Michelle Heston said most guests are opting into the program, and even adding additional dollars to the donation. Statewide, the program has generated more than $5,000 since it began Sept. 1, she said.
