Mendocino Woodlands State Park
Encyclopedia
The Mendocino Woodlands State Park is a group camping facility located at 39350 Little Lake Road, Mendocino County, California
, seven miles (11 km) inland from the town of Mendocino
. It was built as a Recreational Demonstration Area
by the Civilian Conservation Corps
. Mendocino Woodlands consists of approximately 700 acres (2.8 km²) of land along the Little North Fork of the Big River
, and is surrounded to the north, east, and west by the 50,000 acre (200 km²) Jackson Demonstration State Forest. To the south, the park abuts the Big River State Park. It was declared a National Historic Landmark
on September 25, 1997.
and the Civilian Conservation Corps
in the 1930s. Its rustic wood-and-stone buildings, built by the WPA are surrounded by second-growth
redwood forest. Like the other campgrounds, Mendocino Woodlands was originally planned as a site for youth summer camps in which the participants would be introduced to the wonders of nature. However, Mendocino Woodlands is the only one of the campgrounds that has been continuously used for public camping.
As originally formed, the campsite occupied a property of 5425 acres (22 km²). However, when the campsite was conveyed to the California State Park system by Senate Bill 1063 in 1976, the size of the property was reduced to approximately 700 acres (2.8 km²), with the remaining area left in the control of the California Department of Forestry. In 1997, the Mendocino Woodlands Recreation Demonstration Area was designated as a National Historic Landmark
.
that has operated and maintained the facilities at the park since 1949.
Mendocino County, California
Mendocino County is a county located on the north coast of the U.S. state of California, north of the greater San Francisco Bay Area and west of the Central Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 87,841, up from 86,265 at the 2000 census...
, seven miles (11 km) inland from the town of Mendocino
Mendocino, California
Mendocino is a census-designated place in Mendocino County, California, United States. Mendocino is located south of Fort Bragg, at an elevation of 154 feet...
. It was built as a Recreational Demonstration Area
Recreational Demonstration Area
The Recreational Demonstration Area program was a National Park Service program during the 1930s and early 1940s that built forty-six public parks in twenty-four states on , chiefly near urban areas in the United States...
by the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
. Mendocino Woodlands consists of approximately 700 acres (2.8 km²) of land along the Little North Fork of the Big River
Big River (California)
The Big River is a river in Mendocino County, California, draining an area of about . The Big River watershed borders the watersheds of the Noyo River to the north, the Eel River and Russian River to the east, and the Little River, Albion River, and Navarro River to the south.The river's...
, and is surrounded to the north, east, and west by the 50,000 acre (200 km²) Jackson Demonstration State Forest. To the south, the park abuts the Big River State Park. It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
on September 25, 1997.
History
Mendocino Woodlands was one of forty-six campgrounds (including Camp David) created by the Works Progress AdministrationWorks Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
and the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
in the 1930s. Its rustic wood-and-stone buildings, built by the WPA are surrounded by second-growth
Secondary forest
A secondary forest is a forest or woodland area which has re-grown after a major disturbance such as fire, insect infestation, timber harvest or windthrow, until a long enough period has passed so that the effects of the disturbance are no longer evident...
redwood forest. Like the other campgrounds, Mendocino Woodlands was originally planned as a site for youth summer camps in which the participants would be introduced to the wonders of nature. However, Mendocino Woodlands is the only one of the campgrounds that has been continuously used for public camping.
As originally formed, the campsite occupied a property of 5425 acres (22 km²). However, when the campsite was conveyed to the California State Park system by Senate Bill 1063 in 1976, the size of the property was reduced to approximately 700 acres (2.8 km²), with the remaining area left in the control of the California Department of Forestry. In 1997, the Mendocino Woodlands Recreation Demonstration Area was designated as a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
Management
The Mendocino Woodlands State Park is managed by Mendocino Woodlands Camp Association, a nonprofit corporationCorporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
that has operated and maintained the facilities at the park since 1949.