| Richardson Grove State Park | |
| Location: | Humboldt County, California, United States |
| Nearest City: | Rio Del |
| Coordinates: | 40.0167°N -171°W |
| Map: | USA California#USA |
| Relief: | 1 |
| Area: | 2000acres |
| Established: | 1922 |
| Governing Body: | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Richardson Grove State Park is located at the southernmost border of Humboldt County, 75miles south of Eureka, California, United States, and 200miles north of San Francisco. The year-round park, which has approximately 2000acres, straddles US 101, causing the narrowest point of its entire distance. Said to have the 9th largest tree of all remaining Coast Redwoods, it is known for swimming on the South Fork of the Eel River[1] and day use in addition to 159 campsites.[2]
The park is named after Friend Richardson, the 25th Governor of California between 1923 and 1927.[3]
The first road through Richardson Grove, eventually to become US 101, was constructed in approximately 1915 and first surfaced, most likely with gravel and oil, in 1927.[4] [5] A proposed project to adjust the alignment of Route 101 both inside and outside park boundaries to accommodate industry standard-sized trucks in compliance with the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) has been in development by Cal Trans (Caltrans).[6] [7] STAA-compliant vehicles are currently prohibited north of Leggett, California on Route 101 through Richardson Grove State Park.[8] The feasibility of constructing a four-lane bypass of Richardson Grove State Park was analyzed in 2001, but deemed infeasible due to the high cost and/or environmental disruption.[9]
Some north coast businesses, whose success is tied to shipping out of the area, favor the project.[10] According to Caltrans, 54 trees under in diameter, none of which are old growth redwoods, would be removed for the project (32 trees in the park and 24 trees outside of the park).[11] Trees to be removed would not all be redwood, but would include Douglas Fir, Big Leaf Maple, Live Oak, Tan Oak, and Red Alder.[12] A total of two redwoods would be removed within the park itself.[13]
There are several preservation groups against the currently proposed changes in the road alignment. One of these groups, the Save the Redwoods League, worked with the state to increase the park to around 1750acres.[14] Groups and community members against the project, whose website is entitled "Save Richardson Grove," posit that the result of widening the highway may cause Humboldt County to become a casualty of unlimited commercial development.[15] Some suggest, by removing redwoods from the grove, there would be adverse effects on the root systems of remaining massive old-growth redwoods, even causing death to unintended trees and habitat.
Richardson Grove State Park offers 160 campsites and a large group site across three campgrounds: Huckleberry, Madrone, and Oak Flat. The campsites are mainly intended for tent camping but some can accommodate RVs/Trailers. Formerly, cabins were also available for rent. Each site has a picnic table, a food locker, a fire pit, and coin-operated showers are available at nearby restrooms.
The state park has a Visitors Center offering displays on the natural wildlife in the surrounding area, a general store, and offers hiking, swimming, fishing and picnic sites near the Eel River.[16]