For Immediate Release: 2/17/2016
Tule Elk State Natural Reserve to Reopen to the Public
Contact:
William Moffat
Tehachapi District
(661) 724-1206
BUTTONWILL, Calif. — California State Parks will reopen Tule Elk State Natural Reserve to the public on Mar. 1, 2016. The natural reserve was closed on Sept. 1, 2015 for a major renovation of the day use area. All interpretive and school programs will also resume on March 1.
The renovated day-use area now has two 50 person, day-use shade ramadas with picnic tables; a new concrete pad, picnic table and a shade ramada to the current family day use picnic site; and an ADA-compliant ramp to the current viewing platform.
During the construction, the elk at the reserve were monitored and cared for on a daily basis and kept away from construction. The reserve is west of Bakersfield off Interstate 5 and is home to rare tule elk, a species that once hovered near extinction.
The $850,000 project was made possible by a donation partnership agreement from Buena Vista Water Storage and matching funds from California State Parks.
For more information on Tule Elk State Natural Reserve visit the park website or go to www.parks.ca.gov and search under “Visit a Park”.
Subscribe to California State Parks News via e-mail at NewsRoom@parks.ca.gov
California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.