MARTINEZ, Calif. – The National Park Service is seeking public comment through June 15 on how Mount Wanda should be used, and has slated two meetings for those who want to share their thoughts in person.
Mount Wanda is a 330-acre part of the historic Martinez ranch where the notable environmentalist John Muir lived. It’s part of the John Muir Historic Site.
Visitors can walk the same places Muir did, and they can explore and study what Acting Superintendent Sue Fritzke called “the wildness of this inspirational landscape.
In announcing the public comment period, she said the park service wants to identify new visitor activities and what structures might be needed and what resource management approaches should be taken to accommodate those uses.
The goal is to connect Mount Wanda to other areas of the park and to other areas of the Martinez community, she said.
“The Mount Wanda portion of the Historic Site provides an opportunity to experience some of the wildness that Muir reveled in as he conceived ideas for his many writings, and spent time with his family,” she said.
NPS staff will be looking for public insight, perspectives and ideas during the early stage of the planning process, she said. Comments can be made through June 15 online at parkplanning.nps.gov/JOMUMtWanda; by mail to Mt. Wanda Plan, c/o superintendent John Muir National Historic Site, 4202 Alhambra Ave., Martinez, Calif., 94553; or through the two meetings.
These meetings are less conventional than most public-comment session.
The first meeting, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 21, will be part of the John Muir Birthday/Earth Day celebration. Those interested in giving their comments may meet at the Mt. Wanda Planning booth at the John Muir National Historic Site, 4202 Alhambra Ave.
The second meeting will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Strentzel Creek. Those interested in attending need to notify the park service by calling Jim MacDonald at the John Muir National Historic Site, 925-228-8860, Extension 6431.
That sight is largely undeveloped, and accessible by a gravel road. Those who need an off-road wheelchair may request one when they call MacDonald.Ω
Those interested also may call Chief of Resource Management and Planning Paul Scolari, 510-232-1542, extension 6641, or through the same web page where comments may be submitted.