Share your #StateParksStaycation photos for a chance to win a prize

Now's the time for locals in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties to rediscover local state parks and beaches with Staycation2020 and have a chance to win a State Parks annual day-use pass.

Share photos on social media (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook) using #StateParksStaycation and #ThatsMyPark to be entered for a chance to win a Golden Poppy Pass. Entries will be accepted through September 30, 2020, and all entries are required to follow the contest rules below.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has curtailed summer travel for many, locals can take day trips to local state parks and beaches, the areas where Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks partners with California State Parks to co-manage 32 state parks and beaches.

Visitors also help support local state parks and beaches by paying parking and other fees, most of which stay local to help Friends fund local jobs, maintenance, educational programming and more.

Follow Friends on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more details, and use #StateParksStaycation and #ThatsMyPark on photos when you visit a local state park or beach. 

Contest Rules: Must be 18 to enter. Photos must be shared on a public account. Entries will be accepted through September 30, 2020. The photo must be in its original state and cannot be altered in any way, including but not limited to removing, adding, reversing, or distorting subjects within the frame. Entries will not be accepted unless submitted via the official contest channels or after the contest's end date. Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks reserves the right to disqualify any entry that is deemed inappropriate or does not conform to stated contest rules. By entering the contest, entrants agree that photos submitted can be used by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks for future promotional purposes. One winner will be randomly selected and notified by direct message within one week of the contest’s end date. If no response is received after three business days, a new winner will be selected and the previous winner will forfeit all rights to the prize. The prize must be collected by the winner and is non-transferable. This contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law. Employees of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks are not eligible to enter.

Progress made on the restoration of Pigeon Point Light Station SHP

Work on the lighthouse began in Spring 2020 with the restoration of the Fog Signal Building. This phase of the restoration was funded by two local cooperating associations: a $125,000 donation from Coastside State Parks Association and a $125,000 donation from Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, for a total of $250,000.

“We’re pleased to have helped move this important historic restoration forward during this difficult time, so visitors can learn about our past and consider a brighter future,” said Bonny Hawley, Executive Director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.

The building’s exterior walls, siding, windows and drainage were repaired to waterproof and restore it. The fog horns and their rusted braces were also removed, restored and reinstalled. Read the complete State Parks press release here.