TESTIMONIALS FOR PALOMAR MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
These are unsolicited praises for the park from its fans.
"We've been going to Palomar Mtn. for over 30 years and do not want to see it closed. It's our well kept secret and a true gem of State parks. Let's hope all your efforts will not be in vain. Good luck." ~ Bob and Julie S., Vista
"As a native San Diegan I've always know Palomar, but I just recently fell in love with it during that last few years. I sure hope we can make this happen!" ~ Alissa A., San Diego
"SAVE PALOMAR!!!" ~ Anthony P., Carlsbad
"We must keep this very special place open to the public. " ~ Jon W., San Diego
"I am a 5th generation family on Palomar Mountain, my now 6th generation children and I love our State Park. We have property, but nothing can compare to the vast beauty of all the Palomar State Park encompasses, beautiful look-outs, Indian grinding rocks, streams, the pond, deer, glorious meadows. Jessica just gave my 7 year old daughter's Girl Scout troop a tour in the State Park, some of these children had never been on a hike and all were amazed by the beauty of this park." ~ Laura L., Carlsbad
"We love our park...it will cost the state more in lost tax revenue to close it as each dollar spent in maintaining it generates $2.35 in sales tax." ~ Walt & Rosemary J., San Diego
"Don't give up this effort... the park is a landmark in more ways than people realize... it was a childhood memory at least, and should be protected." ~ Chuck K., Julian
"I've always loved camping at Palomar and had hoped to take my kids now that they're older. It would be a shame if I couldn't share the beauty of Palomar camping with them or my camping buddies who just moved here and have asked where a good place to go camping is here." ~ Maria A., San Diego
"Thank you for working to save my favorite place." ~ Jill H., Encinitas
"Palomar is possibly my favourite place on earth. We have to make this work. I came to know and love Palomar in 1984 when I was staying at the Self-Realization Fellowship ashram at Hidden Valley outside Escondido. From there the mountain soars on the skyline, and was always a beckoning grandeur in the distance when straightening the kinks out of my back from pulling weeds. The monks and guys from the farm went on a few day's out to Palomar during my time there, and since then I have been back any time I have been in California. My son is now an SRF monk living in Encinitas, and my wife Sue and I travel over once a year to visit him and our friends, and to deepen our meditations and our connection to 'the bigger picture'. I have walked the trails in the Palomar Park through many a troubled place and found great healing and peace there - especially French Creek. The thought of not being able to do that had never occurred to me, and doesn't bear thinking about. Palomar to me is a sacred and restorative place." ~ Rob E., Selkirk, Scotland
"I grew up here..love this area..love this park." ~ Nadine S., Oceanside
"Thank you for your efforts to keep Palomar Mountain State Park open. It is a special place that we enjoy visiting. It will be a real loss if it is closed to the public." ~ Jamie H., Escondido
"My family has enjoyed camping at Palomar. It's nearby, beautiful, and inexpensive. I'm so glad people are working to keep the park open!" ~ Cathy W., Ramona
"My father was a state park ranger here in the 1950s and I spent my formative years here. It is a place near and dear to my heart. I would hate to see it closed." ~ Betty S., Ramona
"I am an avid outdoor adventurer. I have spent much time exploring this great wild area so near my home. I would like to help with saving this park from any further trouble." ~ Stave, Del Mar
"I'm so grateful that people are organizing to stop the closure of such a beautiful place. Please let me know what I can do to help." ~ Susan C., Escondido
"We're on a tight budget and I already give to conservation groups here, but will try to increase my amount later. Palomar was a huge part of my growing up years and it has a special place in my heart. Here is what I shared with my mom last night when she forwarded your site, I think it's really Doane's Pond or something, right? That was our nickname for it. Love how nature impacts us all. 'Hi Mom, Yes, just seeing Piglet's Pond in that picture, a flood of wonderful memories. That was such as adventure walking through those tall-grass meadows, smelling the vanilla-scented pine bark, that neat old cabin ruin with newspaper for insulation, it all seemed as huge as the Sierras when you're four feet tall. Camping with you under the stars, storing our food in those wooden lockers, making pancakes for breakfast and seeing the bluejays squawk at our unapproved presence. And of course playing with Joel, riding the logs in the pond in our cutoff jean shorts!' " ~ Katie S., Yucca Valley
"Bless you for doing this. Palomar Mountain is one of the very few places in southern California where you can hike among TREES." ~ John W., Encinitas
"I grew up in Valley Center and lived on Palomar Mt. from 1978 - 1980. I have enjoyed the state park on many occasions with friends, family, and my 4th grade students as we had a field trip to the state park. I've camped, hiked, played in the snow, etc. The thought of the park closing is unfathomable. Thanks to everyone who is taking action to keep it going. You are heroes." ~ Camille A., Santa Rosa
"I'm so grateful that people are organizing to stop the closure of such a beautiful place." Susan A., Escondido
"This is great. I commend those who have taken the time and energy to save our beloved park. I want to hike Doane Lake again, and drive up Nate Harrison Grade Road to the park with my 4 wheel vehicle. Thank you." ~ Peggy J., Vista
"Let's save the park I grew up playing in. I love this mountain and will do what I can to help." ~ Tom M., Palomar
"As a family we camped on Palomar to hike and visit the observatory with our four children... Many years later my son and his family took me back to Palomar Mountain to camp with them. Now my grandson has camped there with his scout troop. So you can see this mountain is a special place to me and I want to thank you for your effort to save it for all of us to continue to enjoy. I hope and pray your efforts will be heard in our state capitol..." ~ Mary P., Poway
"I don't want my son growing up somewhere where he can never see the majesty of nature unless we travel a couple thousand miles." ~ Rachelle S., San Diego
"Our family has been to Palomar only once. We were able to spend 3 days there at the end of last summer. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience the park. Fight on!" ~ Marty K. Laguna Beach
"My family has enjoyed Palomar for many years, through several generations. We love the park and were devastated to hear that it would close." ~ Sasha H., Apple Valley
"Best of Luck, and thank you for doing this to preserve a great place." ~ Edward P., Valley Center
"Thank you for doing this! I've only been to the park once, but was so saddened to hear it was closing." ~Julie V-S, San Diego
"Hooray! thanks for organizing this pledge drive! I'll forward this news to many of my friends who love Palomar as I do. It's been a part of me for over 50 years!" ~ Marilee M., Solana Beach
"I have been going to Palomar Mountain, fishing in Doane Pond and camping for 50 years - it is one of the places that is magical about San Diego County." ~ Donna K., San Diego
"I have fished in Doane's Pond since I was 6 years old...it is a beautiful and magical place. I hope we can all save it." ~ Charles Robert P., Los Angeles
"We love Palomar Mountain State Park! Thank you for offering us a way to help keep the park open." ~ The Torrence Family, Oceanside
"My family and I are so pleased you are trying to keep this jewel open. We love Palomar State Park." Tom N., Vista
"Although I don't yet live on the mountain, Palomar is a very special place to me. I was born in San Diego the same year the 200" telescope mirror was trucked up to the observatory, I spent many summer vacations as a kid with my family at Doane Pond, and I have owned property on Palomar as an adult, spending many years coming up on weekends to enjoy the natural environment and find respite from the city. Our very special Palomar Mountain State Park is a place of pride and joy and should never be lost. It needs to remain an integral part of what makes our mountain so beloved. Thank you for helping to make that happen." ~ Marsha P., San Diego
"I grew up enjoying the beauty of Palomar Mountain State Park, and continue to do so today. The thought of the state closing the park is appalling." ~ Aaron K., Long Beach
"God bless the mountain." ~ Donald R., San Diego
"This is a fantastic Park and a worthy cause. It should stay open for future generations and our actions today will help tomorrow." ~ Dayna T., San Diego
"I have been camping at Palomar since I was 4 years old. Along with my brothers and sister and all of there kids. I am 63 now and am able to camp more now that I am retired. If they close my Mountain, where will I go?" ~ Joan L., Santee
"Palomar has been a major part of my life as a child and now as an adult with my own children. When I heard of the closing I couldn't believe it. We always go up Nate Harrison Grade and stay at Doane Valley Campground. I only wish I would have found out about the organization sooner. I will definitely be telling others. I will be hoping this contract goes through and donating again when we can." ~ Brian E., Temecula
"I hope it works. Seems like a relatively small operating cost for a State Park. Boucher Hill is in the park, which is on the San Diego Sierra Club's 100 Peaks list. Doane Pond is such a great fishing spot for youngsters with wildlife viewing opportunities." ~ Derek L., San Diego
"We love Palomar Mountain State Park !" ~ Patrick and Heidi H., Valley Center
"I love Palomar park and plan to visit soon." ~ Lilith H., Bellflower
"Thanks so much for saving the park!!! It's too wonderful to lose." ~ Bob & Judi M., San Diego
"I have loved going up to Palomar since I was little and I love it more and more with each visit. I feel like I'm in another world when I go up there and it would break my heart not to be able to hike or camp there anymore." ~ Jessie Marie S., Carlsbad