Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Museum topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
San Lorenzo Park, county museum highlight South County recreation and school programs
Summary
County Parks Chief Brian Flores and museum director Terry Soll described San Lorenzo Park's campground, playgrounds and the Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum (seven museums in one), noting free admission, school field trips and upcoming events and upgrades funded by Measure AA.
San Lorenzo Park and the Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum were presented as South County attractions for visitors and educators during the county briefing.
Terry Soll, executive director of the Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum, said the museum complex is effectively "seven individual museums in one spot," with exhibits that range from a replica dairy barn and irrigation history to a restored historic house and a blacksmith shop.
"We're open to the public from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday," Soll said, and added that educational programming is free and tours for schools can be booked online. Soll also said the museum hosts demonstrations, a tractor barn collection and rotating exhibits, and that an expanded education menu for K–5 — developed in partnership with the Ag Commissioner — is planned for the fall.
Brian Flores, Chief of Parks, described park amenities and camping: he estimated "about 30-ish improved sites with RV hookups" (30–50 amps), additional rustic campsites and overflow camping used during fair week. He listed ongoing and planned upgrades using Measure AA funds, including replacing two playgrounds, installing a splash pad and improving signage and tree work.
The pair highlighted annual events and programs such as a murder-mystery dinner, haunted hayride, clam chowder feed and Valley Heritage Days; Soll said many activities both entertain and raise funds for restoration and educational programming.
Flores said most exhibits are county-owned but the museum complex is run by a nonprofit operator (referred to in the briefing as McCollum) under a concession agreement.
Directions: the presenters advised drivers to use the Broadway exit from Highway 101 and the San Antonio cross street to reach the park just outside city limits; parking and day use at the park are free, and the museum offers free admission.
The museum and park officials encouraged teachers and families to book visits and watch for new school outreach programming this fall.
