Foundation donates $50,000 to parks Foundation donates $50,000 to parks (June 16, 2004)

San Mateo County's struggling parks, which have lost 32 percent of their funding over the last two years -- with another 10 percent expected this year -- have just received a $50,000 shot in the arm from the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation.

The Board of Supervisors accepted the gift May 11 to provide $31,000 to support activities by the system's 2,400 volunteers, $14,000 to improve the machine that builds and repairs trails in county parks, and $5,000 for training programs.

In just over five years, the foundation has raised $3.3 million for county parks, said Executive Director Julia Bott. "Our goal is to fund projects that enhance the visitors' experience, or preserve the native habitats in the parks."

Past donations have paid for playgrounds, habitat restoration, historic renovations, volunteer programs, and contributions to the purchase of the Mirada Surf coastal bluff, south of Surfers Beach.

The foundation is currently raising funds for the Interpretive Center at Edgewood County Park and Natural Preserve, an interpretive master plan for the Fitzgerald Marine Preserve, new bathrooms for Memorial County Park, fish habitat restoration, and improvements to Sawyer Camp Trail.

For information or to help out, call Ms. Bott at 321-5812, or go to www.supportparks.org.

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