Winter in the Parks

As winter conditions return to our Parks we are reminded that the road conditions hotline is the best place for people to get up to date road conditions, (call (559) 565-3341 then press 1, then 1 again). The Entrance Station and Visitor Centers should also be able to give up to date road conditions, but the Park website may not be kept up to date and is not the best resource for these conditions. Note that the Park also does not recommend particular places to purchase or rent chains and only indicates that people can get chains in Three Rivers. Ranger led programs are also offered throughout the winter season and the schedule can be found on the calendar. 

Exciting Developments

Exciting updates from the Park include the completion of a major water treatment upgrade at Lodgepole funded by the Great American Outdoors and a new exhibit inside the Giant Forest Museum of sequoia seedlings to check out. 

Park Employee Housing

Regarding the ongoing issues with Park employee housing, you may have heard about efforts to purchase the former land of Lake Elowin to serve as a template for Park Housing within Three Rivers but outside of Park boundaries. The Sequoia Parks Conservancy Board of Directors has prioritized park employee housing. In response, the Conservancy has established a restricted fund with the generous support of donors. They are also collaborating with a local real estate agent to identify local, affordable properties that can accommodate more single- or multi-person units, ensuring both affordability and feasibility for purchase. This initiative supports their long-term goal of addressing the critical housing needs of National Park Service employees, park partners, and the Conservancy staff. While the initial effort to purchase Lake Elowin Resort would have placed a financial strain on the Conservancy, they continue actively searching for suitable properties, with or without existing housing.

Job Opportunities

Lastly, the Park is already actively hiring so let’s help them find amazing people to join our community! There is ongoing need for immediate positions in custodial staff and emergency dispatch. There is also a new job for a Housing Management Specialist. The best place to find out what is currently available is on USA Jobs.

[Source: SEKI Public Affairs; compiled by Shannon Lewis]