When the state park officials announced budget cuts would shut down 70 state parks, including nearby Tomales Bay, they mentioned trying to keep some of them open through partnerships with local governments and non-profits. Now at least one private business in West Marin wants to pitch in to help keep part of the Tomales Bay State Park open to the public.

The well-loved Tomales Bay Oyster Company, the Wall Street Journal reports, wants to help cover the $800 per month cost for maintaining public restrooms and trash collection at Millerton Point in the state park that shares the shellfish purveyor's name.

Of course, the oyster shuckers have other interests in keeping Millerton Point open: In exchange for having his staff help maintain the grounds, Tod Friend, one of the owners of the oyster company, is asking for permission to add 10 picnic tables to the state beach area which is about half a mile down the road from his seafood stand. The benefits to the oyster company's business are pretty obvious, but Friend says the proposal would be a win-win situation for everyone: the park gets the maintenance it needs and the oyster company gets an overflow dining area for when the crowds start to overrun the stand on Highway 1.

On the other hand, the environmentalists are chiming in: a spokesperson for the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin worries that this could be another example of efforts to privatize our parks and sent a letter to the parks department (.PDF warning) asking the state not to enter in to agreement with the oyster company until the parks department can be sure the partnership properly benefits the public land. Although, Amy Trainer, EAC Marin's executive director did tell the WSJ she's a fan of the oyster company who are "good neighbors".

In related (possible) parks privatization news: public health groups cite donations from companies like Coca-Cola, who recently put up quite a bit of money to support San Francisco Rec & Parks, as indicative of these private interests in public land. And we can't forget the ongoing battle between park activists and food vendors. But before anyone cries barf on the Tomales Bay efforts - remember the seafood company is actually offering to maintain the land, not move in to do business there.

PREVIOUSLY: California Announces Closure of 70 State Parks
[WSJ]
[EACMarin]