Great Valley Grasslands State Park | |
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Location | Merced County, California, United States |
Nearest city | Gustine, California |
Coordinates | 37°16′58″N 120°52′2″W / 37.28278°N 120.86722°W / 37.28278; -120.86722 |
Area | 2,826 acres (1,144 ha) |
Established | 1982 |
Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Great Valley Grasslands State Park is a state park of California, United States, preserving a parcel of remnant native grassland in the San Joaquin Valley. Such a temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome was once widespread throughout the whole Central Valley.[1] The 2,826-acre (1,144 ha) park was established in 1982.[2] Largely undeveloped, it was formed by combining two former state park units: San Luis Island and Fremont Ford State Recreation Area.[3] Its chief attractions for visitors are spring wildflowers, fishing, and wildlife watching.[4]
The park is part of the larger Grasslands Ecological Area (GEA) of federal, state and private lands all managed for wildlife refuge values.[5] The GEA represents the largest remaining contiguous habitat block of wetlands remaining in all California.[6] The GEA is north of the Grasslands Wildlife Management Area.
See also: Category:Native grasses of California |
Several rare and endangered species inhabit the park.
Great Valley Grasslands State Park was one of 48 California state parks proposed for closure in January 2008 as part of a deficit reduction program. Those closures were ultimately avoided by cutting hours and maintenance system-wide.[7]
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