Dear friends and supporters of Grand Valley Region Citizens for a National Park,

The Grand Valley Region Citizens for a National Park celebrate from afar  the successful re-designation of Pinnacles National Monument to the nation’s 59th  national park.  Their success fuels our own enthusiasm and endeavors as we continue to put out the facts and gain the unwavering kind of support and leadership  that lifted Pinnacles National Monument to park status.

Pinnacles was in the enviable position of having such stalwart support from its local elected leaders that a citizens group like ours was never necessary to convince residents of the endless benefits a national park can bring.  In fact, San Benito  County Board of Supervisors member Jerry Muenzer was so convinced designating Pinnacles a National Park would help diversify and strengthen their  county’s economy (according to Clerk of the Board Denise Home) that Muenzer traveled all the way to Washington D.C. to lobby for the  national park designation.

It just goes to show that even if something is a very good idea all the way around, it still takes leadership and action to get it done.  We are optimistic knowing Congressman Scott  Tipton weighed in on  Pinnacles  rare uncontested House passage, helping it sail to success even in the midst of a highly charged presidential election.  We congratulate San Benito County on its successful bi-partisan leadership and caring stewardship of a national treasure that will benefit generations to come.  Pinnacles had its own John Otto in Michigan homesteader Schuyler Hain.  Like Otto,  in the 1890’s Hain led countless tours of the Pinnacles area and wrote endless articles  urging its preservation as a national park, he also worked for pennies as its caretaker.

If Hain’s life long dream can come true so can Otto’s.   We  hope every local  Grand Valley resident will jump at this once in a lifetime chance to help create the nation’s 60th national park.

Grand Valley Region Citizens for a National Park

260-5242

gvrcnp@gmail.com