Newsroom

Division of Boating and Waterways Now Accepting Grant Applications to Help Keep California’s Waterways Clean

SACRAMENTO – California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting grant applications for the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Education and Outreach Grant Program. A maximum of $360,000 of federal funding per targeted region is available to organizations for educating coastal and San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary recreational boaters about proper vessel sewage disposal and the use of pumpout facilities, and monitoring pumpout and dump stations.

June 23, 2025 Division of Boating and Waterways Read the Full News Release

California State Parks Seasonal Lifeguard Receives the Governor’s Public Safety Medal of Valor

SACRAMENTO — California State Parks is thrilled to announced that Lifeguard II (Seasonal) Benjamin Sweet received the Governor’s Public Safety Medal of Valor Award for his act of heroism during a ceremony on Wednesday, June 18, in Sacramento. The Medal of Valor is the highest state honor for valor awarded to a public safety officer.

June 20, 2025 Read the Full News Release

4th Annual Black Miners Bar Juneteenth Festival Celebration

FOLSOM — California State Parks and its fiscal sponsors, California Black Chamber of Commerce FoundationandStaffordConsulting Group,LLC,invitethepublictothe4thAnnual Juneteenth Festival at Black Miners Bar at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) on Saturday, June 28 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. This FREE eventcelebratesfreedom,cultureand history and marks the 3rd anniversaryofthe site's renaming from Negro Bar toBlack MinersBar,inhonor ofthe BlackGold Miners who established theareaasoneofCalifornia's earliestBlack communitiesin 1849.

June 19, 2025 Folsom Lake SRA Read the Full News Release

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Fire Rebuilding Plan Summary Now Available

BOULDER CREEK — California State Parks today announced the draft project summary of the Facilities Management Plan for Big Basin Redwoods State Park is now available to view, along with a Notice of Preparation of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project.

June 17, 2025 Big Basin Redwoods SP Read the Full News Release

Dos Rios Opens Additional Trails and Expands Outdoor Recreation Opportunities Beginning Friday, June 6

MODESTO — Nearly a year after its official opening and just in time for the peak summer season, California State Parks is opening new hiking trails at Dos Rios. Located just 8 miles west of Modesto, California’s newest state park will also host a number of events for the fourth annual California State Parks Week in June. Nearly 10,000 people have visited Dos Rios since its official opening in June 2024, and the park has steadily increased public access to the approximately 1,600-acre property.

June 03, 2025 Dos Rios Read the Full News Release

Nominations for 2024 California State Parks’ Golden Bear Awards Open Through June 30

SACRAMENTO — The California State Park and Recreation Commission (SPRC) is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Golden Bear Awards. These awards honor and celebrate individuals and organizations acting in support of the California Department of Parks and Recreation and its mission to provide 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. The nomination period is open through Monday, June 30, 2025.

May 29, 2025 California State Parks, Events/Celebrations, Public Participation Opportunities, News Release, California State Park and Recreation Commission Read the Full News Release

Division of Boating and Waterways Offers Boating Infrastructure Grants for Marina Operators

SACRAMENTO – California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting letters of intent (LOI) from public and private marina owners interested in applying for the federal Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program. These grants can fund up to 75% of total project costs, with a maximum grant award of $1.5 million. Once potential projects are identified, applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. LOIs will be accepted starting today, May 23, through Friday, June 13, 2025.

May 23, 2025 Read the Full News Release