Historic agreement keeps Jack London Park open

The non-profit Valley of the Moon Natural History Association (VMNHA) will begin operating Jack London State Historic Park on May 1, the first transfer of its kind to be approved in California.

“We are excited and ready to get to work,” said Greg Hayes, long-time park ranger at Jack London and VMNHA president.

The five-year contract makes the VMNHA responsible for daily maintenance, visitor services, volunteer staffing, protection of natural and historic resources and interpretation. The goal is to make the transition as seamless as possible.

“We are eager to provide a community based, inviting, well maintained park where history, recreation, community events, education and natural resource stewardship continue,” Hayes said.

Since May of 2011, when the closure of over 70 state parks in California were announced, the VMNHA focused efforts on creating a solution for Jack London’s 1,400 acre Beauty Ranch in Glen Ellen.

Assembly Bill 42 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman authorized State Parks to enter into agreements directly with non-profits. Contract negotiations began November 1. The long process addressed issues such as security, resource management, artifact care and insurance, facility maintenance, volunteer training, and event parameters.

VMNHA Vice President Elisa Stancil said her group intends to share its concepts for revenue building, event management, and volunteer and staff solutions with other non-profits throughout the state.

The annual budget to operate the park is $450,000, Stancil said. About half that amount will be raised through development programs and the rest through on-site revenues.

The state collected $108,000 at the gate last year, but the entry point was staffed only about 20 percent of the time. Improving the collection of entry fees should push that total to $195,000 annually.

“The state had no business plan,” Stancil acknowledged.

The charge for vehicles entering the park will rise from $8 to $10. Existing park passes will be honored, and an additional charge to enter Jack London’s cottage – “the jewel in the crown” – will be instituted.

While funds from the VMNHA “war chest” will fund immediate expenses, “we should be in the black by the end of October,” Stancil said.

No on-site food and beverage concession is planned for the park.

“Solutions to revenue and management concerns led to out -of-the box thinking,” said board member Chuck Levine. “Focusing on what is unique in our park led to agreements that will increase visitation and after-hours events such as this summer’s 14 performances by Transcendence Theatre Company.”

The park will be available for weddings, meetings and special events, though indoor facilities are extremely limited.

The VHMA will hold its fundraisers, such as an April 29 Park Partners Party at Benziger Winery. See page 26 for details.

Ruth Coleman, director of California State Parks, called the first non-profit agreement under AB 42 “a milestone. We are pleased the association has stepped forward and we are confident they will do all possible to care for this remarkable historic home during their tenure.”

Assemblymember Huffman’s initial comment was more informal. “Huge congrats to Elisa and her colleagues,” he said. “This is terrific news!”