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Independent Voice

California State Parks Partners with Solano County

Oct 23, 2024 11:45AM ● By California State Parks News Release

The ribbon cutting event marked the opening of the Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park on Aug. 23. Photo courtesy of Solano Land Trust


SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - California State Parks, Solano County and Solano Land Trust on Oct. 9 announced the acceptance of the Golden Bear Pass at two Solano County parks, Lynch Canyon Open Space Park and the new Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park that opened Aug. 23. Benicia State Recreation Area can also be accessed using the pass.

The Golden Bear Pass is a calendar-year free pass that provides vehicle day-use access at over 200 California State Parks-operated units to qualifying Californians who receive Supplemental Security Income, California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program recipients, or income-eligible Californians aged 62 and over.

“Increasing access to parks for everyone is essential for fostering community health and a love for the outdoors,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “We are immensely thankful to Solano County and Solano County Land Trust for their partnership in making the acceptance of the Golden Bear Pass at more parks a reality. Their efforts ensure that more people can experience the natural beauty and recreational opportunities parks have to offer.”

“The pandemic showed us that our community wants more access to our county parks, and we are excited to pilot a program accepting the Golden Bear pass to help more people enjoy our open space parks,” said Solano County Parks Services Manager Chris Drake. “We plan to reach out to Solano Women, Infants and Children (WIC) recipients and other groups who are likely to qualify for the Golden Bear pass to ensure that people can visit more outdoor spaces without a financial burden.”

Solano Land Trust spearheaded this Golden Bear Pass expansion effort as part of its goal to increase opportunities for meaningful outdoor experiences for all people. The development of its Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park is driven by community engagement, including from the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.

“We want everyone to feel welcomed to this park, which is why it was developed with inclusivity in mind,” said Solano Land Trust Executive Director Nicole Braddock. “Adding access through the Golden Bear Pass partnership will continue to highlight that this park is available and open to everyone.”

The opening of Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park and the acceptance of the Golden Bear Pass at two Solano County parks aligns with Governor Gavin Newsom’s Administration’s “Outdoors All” initiative championed by California's Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot.

“Outdoors for All is focused on providing all Californians with equitable access to the state’s cultural, historical and natural resources. ‘Equitable access’ means that all people can experience and enjoy California’s outdoors regardless of who they are or where they live,” said Secretary Crowfoot. “The Golden Bear Pass continues to give more people the opportunity to explore and enjoy the outdoors.”

Since 2022, more than 80,304 passes have been made available through the Golden Bear Pass program. The partnership between State Parks, Solano County and Solano County Land Trust has made the expansion of the Golden Bear Pass acceptance and the opening of a new park possible, meaning more access to more parks for more people.