Date: August 7, 2008
Fall Maintenance Projects and Upkeep of the Pinnacles Campground to Begin
Pinnacles National Monument will begin fall maintenance projects and upkeep of the Pinnacles Campground on September 1st, 2008. “We are undertaking this routine maintenance during our slower seasons so as to reduce the impact on park visitors.” explained Eric Brunnemann, Superintendent of Pinnacles National Monument.
Some of the improvements that have already been completed include: relocation of the park visitor center to the campstore building, expansion of the park's recycling program, new garbage bins and restroom fixtures, new fire rings and picnic tables at many sites, upgrading the campground pool and shower facilities. Upcoming projects include restoring interpretive trails, removing social trails, and rehabilitating the campground water systems and well to better accommodate the needs of campers.
The park is hoping to solve some of the problems of crowded sites (especially in the RV loops) and sites directly in creekbeds (that can become flooded when the creek rises) by changing the layout of some sites. These changes to the campground will also help to solve some of the parking problems as the Visitor Center parking area will supply more than 75 spaces, in addition to a shaded picnic area.
"We will continue to focus our efforts on enhancing the visitor experience by rehabilitating and upgrading degraded sites, areas, and infrastructure in the campground. This normal upkeep and maintenance is instrumental in providing the public with an enjoyable camping experience at Pinnacles. The overall character of the campground will not change." continued Brunnemann.
While these upgrades and upkeep projects are only short term projects, large scale changes to the campground can be addresses through the park's General Management Planning (GMP) process currently underway. For more information on Pinnacles' GMP, visit: www.nps.gov/pinn/parkmgmt/planning.htm
