Mendocino Woodlands State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mendocino Woodlands State Park
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | 39350 Little Lake Road, Mendocino, California |
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| Area | 700 acres (2.8 km2) |
| Built | 1934 |
| Architect | Daniel R. Hull, Raymond E. Floyd |
| Architectural style | Bungalow, Craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 97001262 |
| Added to NRHP | September 25, 1997 |
The Mendocino Woodlands State Park is a cool place for group camping. You can find it in Mendocino County, California. It's about seven miles (11 km) away from the town of Mendocino. This park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. They created it as a "Recreational Demonstration Area."
Mendocino Woodlands covers about 700 acres (2.8 km²). It sits along the Little North Fork of the Big River. A huge forest, the 50,000-acre (200 km²) Jackson Demonstration State Forest, surrounds it. To the south, it touches the Big River State Park. Because of its history, it was named a National Historic Landmark on September 25, 1997.
Park History and Purpose
Mendocino Woodlands was one of 46 campgrounds built in the 1930s. Groups like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) created these sites. The buildings here are made of wood and stone. They have a rustic, natural look. These buildings are surrounded by a second-growth redwood forest.
Building Youth Camps
Originally, these campgrounds were made for youth summer camps. The idea was to help young people connect with nature. They could learn about the outdoors. Mendocino Woodlands is special because it's the only one of these original camps that has been used for public camping non-stop since it was built.
Changes Over Time
When it was first created, the park was much bigger, about 5,425 acres (22 km²). But in 1976, the park became part of the California State Park system. At that time, its size was changed to about 700 acres (2.8 km²). The rest of the land went to the California Department of Forestry. In 1997, the Mendocino Woodlands Recreation Demonstration Area was officially recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
Park Management
The Mendocino Woodlands State Park is looked after by a group called the Mendocino Woodlands Camp Association. This group is a nonprofit corporation. They have been running and taking care of the park's facilities since 1949. Their job is to make sure the park stays a great place for everyone to enjoy.
