Hendy Woods State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hendy Woods State Park |
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Old-growth redwoods in Hendy Woods
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 Hendy Woods State Park
Location in California
Hendy Woods State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mendocino County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Philo, California |
| Area | 816 acres (330 ha) |
| Established | 1958 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Hendy Woods State Park is a special place in California. It's a state park found in the Anderson Valley of Mendocino County. This park is famous for its amazing old-growth coast redwood trees. These are very tall and ancient trees! The park also has places for camping and is close to many wineries in the Anderson Valley. It was named after Joshua Hendy, who once owned the land and wanted to make sure its beautiful trees were protected. The land was passed between different owners without being cut down. Finally, in 1958, it became part of the California State Park system.
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Discover Hendy Woods State Park
Hendy Woods State Park is located in the Anderson Valley of Mendocino County. It's about a three-hour drive north of San Francisco. This park is the only big park in the Anderson Valley area. It's also about 20 miles from the coast. Because it's further inland, it's usually warmer here than in other redwood forests closer to the ocean. You can get to the park by taking the Philo–Greenwood Road, which is just off California State Route 128.
Exploring the Park's Nature
The park covers about 816 acres of land. It has two main areas of old-growth coast redwood trees. These are called Big Hendy (which is 80 acres) and Little Hendy (20 acres). Some of these incredible trees are over 300 feet tall! They can also be nearly 1,000 years old. Other types of trees you might see in the park include madrone, Douglas fir, and California laurel. The park also has 3.3 miles of land along the Navarro River. This is the only public spot to reach the river in the Anderson Valley.
Fun Activities at the Park
Hendy Woods State Park offers many fun things to do. There are several miles of hiking trails to explore. One trail is even designed for wheelchairs, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the redwoods. You'll find 25 picnic spots along the Navarro River. There are also two campgrounds with a total of 92 campsites. These are located between the two redwood groves. If you prefer, you can even stay in one of the four cabins.
While fishing isn't allowed inside the park, you can do catch-and-release fishing nearby. This is possible from the "Prune Belly Bridge" on the Philo–Greenwood road. The park is also a popular place for swimming and boating on the river. If you're camping at the park, you can also visit the many wineries nearby. This park is one of only two in Mendocino County that fully meets the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
A Look at Hendy Woods History
For thousands of years, the Pomo people lived in the area that is now Hendy Woods. They found their food by hunting and gathering. Later, some of the first Western settlers arrived. These were Russian fur traders. The Pomo people faced many changes to their way of life during this time. Today, the number of Pomo people living there is much smaller.
Protecting the Redwoods
The park is named after Joshua Hendy. He was a blacksmith from England who came to California during the California Gold Rush. He built a large sawmill on the Navarro River. When Joshua Hendy passed away in 1891, he left his property to his nephews. He made sure to include a rule that the coast redwood groves must be protected. However, his nephew Samuel Hendy eventually sold the property to a lumber company. Over the years, the land was sold to several different companies. One of these was the Masonite Corporation in 1948.
Even with all these changes in ownership, Hendy Woods was never logged. It remained a favorite spot for families to have picnics. In 1938, a group called the Anderson Valley Unity Club learned about the importance of saving redwood forests. From then on, this women's club worked hard to protect the remaining redwood groves. In 1958, the California State Park system bought about 600 acres of land from Masonite. This included two miles of riverfront. The park was officially opened on July 7, 1963. The Unity Club continued to help the park. In 1980–1981, they built a trail through the redwoods that is accessible for people with disabilities. This was part of the International Year of Disabled Persons. Over the years, more land was added, bringing the park to its current size of 816 acres by 1988.
The Hendy Hermit Story
Hendy Woods was once home to a unique person known as the "Hendy Hermit." His name was Petrov Zailenko. He lived in the park for over ten years, from the 1960s to the 1970s. He hunted local animals for food and gathered produce from nearby farms. There's a trail in the park called the Hermit Hut Trail. It passes by one of the huts that Zailenko built from fallen redwood branches and other natural materials. Zailenko passed away in 1981, and his ashes were scattered in the park.
Saving the Park from Closure
Hendy Woods is a very popular park. Nearly 50,000 visitors come each year, mostly from the San Francisco Bay Area. The park brings in about $2.8 million each year to Mendocino County. However, in 2012, Hendy Woods was one of 70 state parks planned to close. This was due to state budget cuts. The state would have saved some money by closing it. But this calculation didn't include all the money the park brought in from tourism.
In November 2011, a group of people protested the cuts by camping in the park. This was even though the campground was closed for winter. Thanks to local fundraising efforts for many of the parks, the planned closure did not happen. Hendy Woods State Park remained open for everyone to enjoy!
