About Friends of Shore Acres, Inc.
On December 4, 1986, an organizational meeting of the Friends of Shore Acres was held at Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay. Our Mission Statement . . . "The purpose of Friends of Shore Acres, Inc. is to participate in Interpretive, Educational, and Physical Development Programs with Sunset Bay State Park District (now Sunset Bay Management Unit)." Since 1986, the Friends have participated in many activities in cooperation with Shore Acres. Interpretive and Educational: garden plant identification signs, interpretive brochures, slide shows, videos, replacement of plants, intertidal walks, garden walks, annual pond cleaning, annual flower and plant days (bonsai, daffodils, rhododendrons, roses, fuchsias, dahlias, orchids), newsletter, and anniversary celebrations. Other activities: parking permit discount program for members, funding for "Old Garden Roses" garden, funding for study by Stephen Dow Beckham (The First Simpson House 1907-1921) and archaeological dig by Oregon State University. Physical Development Programs: funding for permanent underground wiring, garden landscaping lights, additional parking lots for more than 100 cars, buses and RVs, parking lot lights, path lights, Information and Gift Center, bike rack, Memorial Fountain and Memorial Display, power building, Garden House wiring and light fixtures, painting, completely new kitchen, new carpet and carpet cleaning, concrete block foundation, and ceilings renovation. Also partial funding for storage building which doubled in size in 2002, rose pergola, a new Pavilion completed in 2002, a new Entry and Information & Gift Center in 2003 and a new cast bronze Memorial Display in 2005. The annual Holiday Lights event, which began in 1987, has grown from 6,000 miniature lights and one Christmas tree to more than a quarter million holiday lights, 24 Christmas trees, many lighted sculptures (some animated), and landscape lights on the huge trees surrounding the garden. The event, which has become a "community tradition," is accomplished with more than 1500 volunteers, state park staff and the financial support of local businesses, the community and about 50,000 visitors who attend each season. All of the Friends' activities are done in cooperation with Shore Acres State Park and the Sunset Bay Management Unit. The outstanding cooperation of everyone involved sets an excellent example for other similar groups to follow. Friends' members (about 250) benefit from Information & Gift Center discounts, many volunteer opportunities, and the satisfaction from knowing they "make a difference" for the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department and the state of Oregon. Board Members: Officers : President Timm Slater, President Elect Robynn Reed, Secretary Kathi Netter, Treasurer Barb Taylor. Directors - David Bridgham, Shirley Bridgham, Joan Clifton, Merry Vee Elliott, Jack Gilham, Betty Kennedy, Kenn Kennedy, Ellie Kinney-Martial, Lou Kolkhorst, Sharon Kolkhorst, Dennis Netter, and Carl Siminow
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In 1985, the state of Oregon passed legislation to enable private, non-profit cooperatives to work with state parks. Their mission: to provide educational and interpretive services to state parks and their visitors.