INTERPRETATION MASTER PLANHENRY W. COE STATE PARK

December 26, 2014

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.....................................................................................4 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTIONPark Overview .......................................................................................................................6Plan Purpose .........................................................................................................................7Planning Process ...................................................................................................................7Planning Team .......................................................................................................................8Park Planning History ............................................................................................................9Park Maps and Orientation ............................................................................................. 10-11

CHAPTER 2 PLANNING FOUNDATIONPark Resources ................................................................................................................... 12Existing Interpretation .......................................................................................................... 31Local and Regional Influences ............................................................................................39Visitation and Visitor Use ..................................................................................................... 41

CHAPTER 3 ASSETS, NEEDS, AND IMPROVEMENT ANALYSISPark Wide Interpretation ......................................................................................................44Interpretation Content .........................................................................................................45Interpretive Programs and School Groups ..........................................................................45Diversity and Acessibility .....................................................................................................46Conditions and Needs by Specific Area of Park .................................................................46

CHAPTER 4 INTERPRETIVE DIRECTIONMission, Purpose, and Vision Statements ........................................................................... 51Statewide Programs and Campaigns .................................................................................. 52Interpretive Goals and Guidelines...................................................................................................52Interpretive Themes and Period ..........................................................................................53Educational Frameworks and Standards .............................................................................55

CHAPTER 5 RECOMMENDATIONS

General Plan Considerations ...............................................................................................56Goals, Objectives, and Strategies ....................................................................................... 57Interpretation Action Plan .................................................................................................... 67

REFERENCES CITED.........................................................................................87

APPENDIX AND ADDENDUMSA. Photos of Parks Existing Panels ..................................................................................... 91B. Henry W. Coe State Park Visitor Survey Results ............................................................98C. Public Meeting Attendance ............................................................................................118D. Conceptual Drawings .................................................................................................... 121E. List of Interpretation Action Plan Positions and Descriptions .................................. .....125F. Henry W. Coe State Park Bird Species List...........................................................................128G. Pine Ridge Association Information on Past Visitor Center Plans......................................132H. Watershed chart of Henry W. Coe State Park........................................................................150

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

AgencyState of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, Monterey District, Gavilan Sector,Henry W. Coe State Park (HCSP)

Project TitleHenry W. Coe State Park Interpretation Master Plan

Project DescriptionThe Interpretation Master Plan (IMP) was developed because the General Plan was written in 1985 and is outdated. Also, there are restoration work and interpretive programs taking place at Gilroy-Yamato Hot Springs. This plan provides a five to 10 year roadmap for interpretive services at Henry Coe W. State Park. Recommendations made in the IMP and IAP will guide the develop-ment of interpretive services and facilities for the park.

Planning ProcessThe IMP was developed starting in October 2011 and was completed in December 2013 through a collaborative process. The team consisted of core members and an extended group of park staff, volunteers, partners, and cooperating association members. The core team developed the content, conducted the formal visitor survey process and evaluation, and analyzed conditions and data. The secondary group provided information and reviewed sections of the plan.

Project FindingsSince many of the recommendations in the General Plan for interpretive services have been accomplished, this IMP will be useful in providing guidance. It can also be helpful for the Pine Ridge Association in budgeting what interpretive programs and signage they could fund.

In addition, the results for the visitor survey is a valuable tool for knowing who is visiting the park, what activities they are participating in and what is important to them. The specific visitor comments will also be useful in improving the services to the visitors.

RecommendationsMany short-term interpretive projects (ranging 1-2 years) can be accomplished with the support of the Pine Ridge Association and park volunteers. However, the largest barrier to accomplishing many of the tasks is the lack of staff. The existing staff is doing the best they can with the re-sources they have. Ideally, the park should have a full-time Interpreter to free the Ranger staff to do more patrol and law enforcement.

Docents are capable of conducting interpretive programs, coordinating special events and facil-itating docent training but still need staff oversight. The new interpretive activities at Gilroy-Yam-ato Hot Springs need more staff support.

If the Regional Interpretive Specialist is available to be the Project Lead and there is funding many of the interpretive panels could be developed and installed working with the field staff. Other short-term goals include improving orientation and trip planning information, developing interpretive content for programs, and building partnerships with interpretive providers.Effective marketing and outreach programs need to be implemented so that the interpretive ser-vices are reaching current and potential audiences.

Once the IMP is approved, the Sector Superintendent and the Regional Interpretive Specialist need to first have a planning workshop with staff and docents to determine their interpretive program priorities and develop an annual interpretive implementation plan. Then, they should have a workshop with the board members of the Pine Ridge Association to determine which of the priorities they are willing to fund. Other funding sources need to be explored.

We need to work with the Japanese community at Gilroy-Yamato Hot Springs to get their input and assistance in providing guided tours and conducting special events. We also need to work with the tribal representatives to provide presentations and interpretive programs. We also need to identify other potential partnerships.

We also need to utilize current social media tools such as Facebook and future new social media tools. The websites need to be regularly updated.

Long-range projects include new capital outlay projects (interpretive facilities),projects requiring additional staff, exhibits, special events, and expanded educational and in-terpretive programs. The most challenging issue will be determining if the current Visitor Cen-ter can be made accessible.

6 HENRY W. COE STATE PARK INTERPRETATION MASTER PLAN

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 PARK OVERVIEW

Henry W. Coe State Park is the second largest unit in the

California State Park System with over 87,000 acres of pristine open spaces. It is located in the Diablo Range, 21 miles southeast

of San Jose. The park is a major feature of the mountain landscape on the eastern side of Highway 101 from San Jose to Pacheco Pass. The primary recreation attraction is the large expanse of natural landscape.

The park hosts a fascinating variety of plants and animals. It also houses the headwaters of Coyote and Orestimba Creeks, long stretches of Pacheco Creek, and a 23,300-acre wilderness area. The park is known for the sweeping views of the Santa Clara Valley and the Mt. Diablo range. On clear days, visitors can see the Sierra Nevada from certain viewpoints.

There are six vehicle access points to the park, only three of which are currently open to the public. Once at the entrance, the interior of the park can only be accessed by foot, bike, or horse. The terrain is

rugged, pristine, and diverse and inspires enthusiastic hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, backpackers, naturalists and photographers to push their physical limits to explore and experi