About Us
Our Story
More than three decades ago, a small group of passionate volunteers gathered beneath the towering redwoods of Portola Redwoods State Park with a simple goal: to help visitors connect more deeply with the beauty around them. In 1991, they formed a cooperating association dedicated to supporting interpretive programs at the park. Their work was humble, hands‑on, and rooted in love for the land.
As time went on, their mission naturally expanded. In 1998, Castle Rock State Park—Portola’s rugged, scenic neighbor—joined the fold. The two parks shared staff, shared visitors, and shared a spirit of adventure, so the organization embraced a new identity: the Portola and Castle Rock Foundation (PCRF) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. What began as a small volunteer effort had grown into the official state‑chartered cooperating association for both parks.
A Turning Point: The 2011 Parks Crisis
Everything changed in 2011. When California announced that 70 state parks were slated for closure—including both Portola Redwoods and Castle Rock—our community faced a moment of reckoning. Losing these parks wasn’t an option. They were places of refuge, inspiration, and connection for generations of visitors.
PCRF stepped forward with determination. We raised funds, rallied supporters, and partnered with conservation leaders to keep the parks open. In 2012, we contributed $50,000 toward a major donor agreement that secured Castle Rock’s future. That same year, we joined Save the Redwoods League and Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) to protect Portola Redwoods.
The crisis reshaped us. It pushed us to grow, to organize, and to take on a larger role in safeguarding these treasured landscapes.
Growing Into a Stronger Foundation
Before the crisis, PCRF focused mainly on interpretive programs and visitor center operations. Afterward, we broadened our mission dramatically. We expanded our board, launched a volunteer training program, and transitioned into a membership based foundation. We began investing in infrastructure—projects that improved the visitor experience and protected the parks for the long term.
These efforts sparked additional investment from California State Parks, including a major upgrade to the wastewater facility at Portola Redwoods State Park. Step by step, partnership by partnership, we helped strengthen the parks’ foundations.
Resilience Through Fire and Change
In 2020, wildfires swept across the Bay Area, devastating many beloved parks. Flames reached the borders of Portola Redwoods and Castle Rock, but thanks to preparedness and strategic firefighting, both parks were spared. In the aftermath, visitors returned to the parks in record numbers, seeking solace in nature. PCRF continued to support the parks as they adapted to this surge, ensuring that trails, facilities, and programs could meet the moment.
Looking Ahead
Today, PCRF remains committed to protecting and enhancing Portola Redwoods and Castle Rock State Parks. Our work focuses on improving infrastructure, supporting interpretive programs, and building a strong community of members, volunteers, and donors who believe in the power of these extraordinary places.
What began as a small group of volunteers has grown into a thriving foundation dedicated to preserving the magic of these parks—so that future generations can stand beneath the redwoods, climb the sandstone cliffs, and feel the same sense of wonder that inspired our founders in the first place.
