Our goal at Coastside State Parks Association is singular: to support our local State Park system. When we see that our parks are thriving and beautiful, we know we are doing our job. However, it’s always nice to get a little recognition!

We are extremely proud to announce that the Coastside State Parks Association recently won a 2024 California State Parks Golden Bear Award. We were nominated in 2025, and the award was presented at the final California State Parks and Recreation Commission meeting held on December 17, 2025.

There are 6 categories for the Golden Bear awards including: Central Division, Coastal Division, Desert Division, Northern Division, Statewide and the brand-new category of Honorary Partner, which is the award we won!

This annual award is bestowed on individuals or groups who have “contributed significantly toward the Department’s mission: to provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.” We were happy to accept the award on behalf of all the current and past board members, but no award would be possible without the incredible team of local park staff — including Supervising Ranger Barbara Morris — the dozens of volunteers, and of course, every CSPA supporter.

While we could not attend the award ceremony in person in Southern California, our current President Pam Koch attended virtually, and she expressed our sincere gratitude and listed many of our most important projects. We now have a beautiful, framed certificate that will be hung proudly at the Francis Beach Ranger Station!

Having thriving parks in our community is the ultimate reward for our work… but winning the coveted Golden Bear award is nice too! Thank you to everyone who helps CSPA be the best cooperating organization we can be! 

– Bill Murray, Coastside State Parks Association Board Member