Funding In Place For Big Trees Visitors Center

Arnold, CA — A new Visitors Center at Calaveras Big Trees State Park is scheduled to open during the Spring of 2012.

The Calaveras Big Trees Association has donated $500,000 towards the project and remaining funds will come from voter approved Proposition 84 bonds. CBTA President Marcy Crawford recently handed over the final check of $250,000 to state parks projects director Mike Romo. The state plans to let the project out for bids later this month and award a construction contract in December. The total project cost is estimated to be around $2.7 million.

The new center will include two buildings totaling 7,000 square ft., an entrance plaza replicating the surface of a giant Sequoia stump, a reception area, exhibit hall, classroom, book store and administrative space. Calaveras Big Trees State Park was established in the 1850’s and averages about 200,000 visitors a year.