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PRESS RELEASE. From Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks on September 14th, 2026.
September 14, 2026—SANTA CRUZ, CA—Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks (Friends) today announced it has secured a transformational donation from the Reyneri family to fully fund the construction of the new Redwood Ecology Interpretive Center, which will be built in the heart of Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The new $6 million visitor-serving facility is an essential step forward in the recovery of the state park, following the devastating CZU Lightning Complex Fire that burned 97% of the park in 2020.
The Reyneri Family is making the donation in memory of its patriarch, Dr. Cesare Reyneri, who had a deep appreciation of nature and spent many weekends with his wife, Barbara, and children, Justin, Adriana and Sue, in Big Basin, appreciating the “Father of the Forest” and other old growth trees, taking in the sun-filtered forest, and watching birds and other wildlife. “This gift is to help revitalize and reimagine Big Basin so that future families can enjoy it as much as we have,” said Barbara Reyneri, Dr. Reyneri’s wife.
The Redwood Ecology Interpretive Center, a key component of the Facilities Management Plan, will be in the main day-use area of the park and will be the first interpretive touchpoint for visitors arriving by car and shuttle from the new Saddle Mountain entrance area. The Center will provide day-use visitors with key information about the park’s ecology, resources and available experiences. It is envisioned to feature outdoor exhibits under a covered pavilion near the entrance to the Old Growth Loop. State Parks interpretive staff and docents will be here to interact with park visitors.
The Reyneri Family donation to Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks is foundational, as Friends and other nonprofit partners launch the effort to fund new facilities at the fire-devastated park.
“Since State Parks started the Reimagining Big Basin process more than five years ago, the goal has been to create inclusive and welcoming facilities while prioritizing stewardship of thisresilient forest,” said Bonny Hawley, executive director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. “This legacy gift from the Reyneri Family will build a new landmark that will greet park visitors for generations to come.”
The CZU Lightning Complex Fire destroyed nearly all recreational amenities, as well as State Parks operational facilities and staff housing. Through the Reimaging Big Basin public process, California State Parks has developed a Facilities Management Plan and related documents that were approved by the State Parks Commission in July. The Plan outlines the strategy for phased design and construction of permanent facilities at Big Basin, including trails, campgrounds and utilities. Full reopening of the park will take several years.
“Recovery and rebuilding at Big Basin is a massive undertaking. The Reyneri family’s incredible generosity will replace critical infrastructure while creating a new, meaningful experience for park visitors,” Santa Cruz State Parks District Superintendent Chris Spohrer said. “We also hope their impactful gift will inspire others to support the Reimagining Big Basin effort.”
It is fitting that the Redwood Ecology Interpretive Center will welcome people to the park. Dr. Reyneri himself had a curious introduction to the Santa Cruz Mountains. After spending his youth at the base of the Alps in Northern Italy, he thought to settle in California. Driving north from Los Angeles in search of a suitable homesite, he ran out of gas on Skyline Boulevard, overlooking the Stanford campus. A kindly passerby sent some fuel up to him. The beauty of the area and the kindness of locals, helped him to decide, “This is the place”.
In addition to family weekends spent at Big Basin, Dr. Reyneri was known to ride his bike from his home in Los Altos to the park. He was an early advocate of the environmental movement, conserving energy whenever possible – turning off lights at home, growing his family’s vegetables and even cycling to work. Together as a family, they hiked, cross-country skied, snow camped, and backpacked. For 40 years, Dr. Reyneri stewarded family acreage in Mendocino County, planting thousands of trees.
Friends, the nonprofit operating partner of State Parks in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties,
has been supporting Big Basin recovery since the immediate aftermath of the CZU Fire. In the
days after the fire, Friends established the Friends Fire Recovery Fund to help address both
immediate and long-term impacts of the fire. People from around the globe responded with
incredible generosity, supporting park staff through hardship and funding critical recovery
projects.
“Big Basin holds a special place in the hearts of so many people who have walked beneath its
towering redwoods,” Hawley said. “With community support, we can continue to help State
Parks restore this beloved destination and create opportunities for visitors to reconnect with
the redwoods.”
Visit www.thatsmypark.org/donate and select Fire Recovery Fund to make a donation in support of Big Basin.
Author: mdrag
x
