Current Projects
Thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners, multiple exciting projects are currently underway to enhance the accessibility and educational value of Portola Redwoods and Castle Rock parks. Below is a list of the projects now in progress and made possible through these vital contributions.
Using your donations to make a difference…
Improving the visitor experience and ensuring safety in our parks are our top priorities. One of the most effective ways we achieve this is through interpretive panels placed in high-traffic areas, offering visitors guidance, education and inspiration.
For many years, the Foundation has funded these educational signs in both parks, thanks, in part, to the generosity of REI.
In Portola Redwoods State Park, you’ll discover panels funded by PCRF that bring the park’s stories to life:
- The Big Tree Trail panel
- An educational Redwood Tree panel
- A display describing the history of the Shriners at Portola
- The ecology and history of Slate Creek
In Castle Rock State Park, visitors are welcomed and informed by:
- A Welcome Panel and Park Map
- A display describing the history of Goat Rock
- Low-impact climbing guidelines
- Educational panels on the park’s unique geology, wildlife, habitats, and the impact of fire
- Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail signs
Looking ahead, both Parks will receive additional enhancements, including:
- Portola Redwoods Flora (Dudley’s Lousewort) panel
- Danny Hanavan Trail panel
- Replacement of aged panorama panels
These interpretive displays not only enrich each visit but also foster a deeper connection between people and the natural wonders of our parks—ensuring that every step taken is both informed and inspired.
A Welcoming New Entrance to Portola Redwoods
From 2019 to 2022, Portola and Castle Rock Foundation , in partnership with the California State Parks Foundation, transformed the Portola Redwoods State Park Visitor Center front porch into a warm, accessible, and inviting gateway to the park.
The revitalized space now serves as both an entrance and a gathering place, featuring amenities that enhance the visitor experience—comfortable redwood benches, native plant landscaping in handcrafted planter boxes, a convenient bike rack, and updated message boards. Many of the materials, including the benches and planters, were milled from trees within the park itself, adding a meaningful connection to the land.
This project not only improved accessibility and comfort but also created a true sense of arrival—welcoming guests into the heart of the redwoods with beauty, function, and a touch of history.
Portola Redwoods Visitor Center Improvement Project – Interior
Following the successful revitalization of the Visitor Center’s exterior—including a new fire-resilient roof, upgraded windows, and weatherproofing—Portola and Castle Rock Foundation is now turning its attention to the interior of this historic 1945 structure.
The interior improvements are designed to preserve the building’s character while making it safer, more functional, and more engaging for the thousands of visitors who pass through each year. Planned upgrades include:
- Structural and safety repairs – An engineering review and restoration of the original masonry fireplace, which currently cannot be used due to a large crack.
- Comfort and efficiency – Refinishing the wood floors, upgrading the aging electrical system, and replacing or servicing the rattling HVAC system to improve climate control and energy efficiency.
- Visitor experience enhancements – Installing new interpretive displays in the museum area, improving merchandise display areas, and creating more inviting spaces for educational programs.
These improvements will ensure the Visitor Center remains a welcoming hub for orientation, interpretation, and community connection—while protecting the building’s historic integrity and preparing it to serve future generations.
In 2021, Portola and Castle Rock Foundation funded the replacement of several of the decades-old barbecue grills at various campsites and picnic areas in Portola Redwoods State Park. The new stainless-steel grills were installed on the park’s legacy stone barbecue pits, preserving their rustic charm while greatly improving safety, durability, and ease of use.
In 2026, PCRF with replace several Diablo Stoves utilizing a unique cross training program within California State Parks. The project is slated for Fall 2026.
These upgrades ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy outdoor cooking under the towering redwoods for years to come—whether it’s a family picnic, a group gathering, or a quiet meal after a day on the trails. By combining modern materials with the park’s historic features, this project blends tradition with long-term sustainability.
Kids2Parks is a groundbreaking park-equity program that covers transportation costs for Title I schools to visit California State Parks. The program reduces barriers to access and increases t number of students who experience a state park —often for the very first time. Portola and Castle Rock Foundation, through Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, is providing funding for transportation for select Title I schools in Santa Clara County, ensuring more children can explore, learn, and connect with nature.
The path from the road to the Campfire Center used to be difficult to navigate. During last summer’s Portola 80th Birthday Celebration, even moving an ice freezer down the uneven route took four people and a lot of effort — a perfect example of why an upgrade was overdue.
That challenge is now a thing of the past. With PCRF funding and the work of the State Parks Maintenance team, the old decomposed‑granite path has been replaced with a smooth concrete walkway. The new route is fully ADA compliant, making it safer and more accessible for visitors of all ages and abilities. The decomposed granite was carefully removed and reused to improve another area of the park.
Building on the skills developed during the 2024–2025 Tiptoe Falls stair project, the Portola Trail Crew is now applying that expertise across the park. The team plans to replace worn or missing steps on several trails within Portola Redwoods, continuing the steady work of making the park safer and more enjoyable for visitors.
These improvements build on years of hands‑on stewardship. In recent seasons, the crew has tackled everything from repairing aging bridges to clearing storm‑damaged routes and stabilizing eroded sections of trail. Their work at Tiptoe Falls—designing, constructing, and installing new steps—became a turning point, giving the crew the confidence and technical know‑how to take on more complex projects.
The upcoming step replacements are part of a broader effort to keep Portola’s trail system resilient. Heavy winter storms, high visitor use, and natural wear all take a toll on the park’s steep, shaded terrain. By proactively repairing steps, reinforcing trail surfaces, and addressing drainage issues, the crew helps protect sensitive habitats while ensuring hikers can explore safely.
PCRF’s support allows this work to continue year after year, strengthening the trail network and preserving access to some of the park’s most beloved destinations—from Tiptoe Falls to the redwood groves deep in the canyon.
In 2021, Portola and Castle Rock Foundation, in partnership with California State Parks, launched the Portola Redwoods Volunteer Trail Crew—a dedicated team of community members committed to keeping the park’s trails safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all.
Meeting regularly throughout the year, the crew hikes into the park’s lush redwood forest to:
- Clear fallen trees and remove debris from trails
- Repair and maintain footbridges, drainage, and trail surfaces
- Report conditions needing ranger attention
- Support ecological health by protecting sensitive habitats along the trail corridor
Working to State Parks’ professional standards, these volunteers not only extend the capacity of park staff but also deepen their own connection to the land. Their efforts ensure that visitors can continue to explore Portola Redwoods’ scenic routes—from quiet creekside paths to towering old-growth groves—safely and sustainably.
This ongoing program reflects PCRF’s belief that hands-on stewardship is one of the most powerful ways to protect and celebrate our parks.