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PRESS ROOM

Highly-Acclaimed ParkSpeak Series to Make 2021 Debut at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

  • Free virtual guided tour goes behind-the-scenes at one of California’s first African-American settlements
  • Expert speakers will share little-known facts and timely stories from the park’s history
  • California State Parks Director, Armando Quintero, to join the panel of guest speakers

WHAT:

After launching a successful virtual series in 2020 called ParkSpeakParks California is debuting its first 2021 installment of the series at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park (SHP). This Earth Day, April 22, the organization invites state parks lovers to a free, friendly and fun virtual tour of one of the first African-American settlements in California.

Parks California is partnering with California State ParksCalifornia African-American Museum and Friends of Allensworth to bring this behind-the-scenes tour to homes across the state. Attendees will learn about the park’s history, culture, and little-known facts, plus learn about all the fun programs and events Friends of Allensworth is planning for its visitors this year.

WHY: 

Parks California is a statewide nonprofit with a mission to help strengthen state parks and inspire all to experience them. The organization created ParkSpeak to amplify important work happening between the California State Parks department, regional staff and local partners to enhance the park experience, provide equitable park access to youth and families, and restore connections between tribal communities and their native lands, among other noteworthy collaborations. Parks California aims to shed light on collaborations and special projects to lift the stories beyond park borders and highlight the caring, thoughtful approach required to protect so many special places statewide. 

EVENT DETAILS:

GUEST SPEAKERS:

For this tour, we’ll be hearing from a parks-packed panelist group including:

  • Kindley Walsh Lawlor, Parks California, President & CEO
  • Armando Quintero, California State Parks, Director
  • Leslie Hartzell, California State Parks, Cultural Resources Division Chief
  • Susan Anderson, California African-American Museum, History Curator and Program Manager
  • Jerelyn Oliveira, California State Parks, Interpreter
  • Barney Matsumoto, California State Parks, Service Center Chief
  • Sasha Biscoe, Friends of Allensworth, Statewide President

QUOTES:

“Our ParkSpeak events give people across California a special opportunity to learn about the people, stories and places that are now state parks without leaving their home,” said Kindley Walsh Lawlor, President and CEO of Parks California. “Virtually visiting these unique places, such as Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, commemorating their history and discovering how they have touched the surrounding communities is a particularly heartwarming experience.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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About Parks California

Parks California is a statewide nonprofit working to ensure state, regional, and local parks thrive. As statutory partner to California State Parks, Parks California has a simple mission – to help strengthen parks and inspire all to experience these extraordinary places. From redwood groves and desert springs to urban parks and lighthouses, the organization works with partners to steward these natural wonders and make California’s parks more welcoming, accessible and relevant to all visitors. For more information, please visit parkscalifornia.org.