Anonymous Donor Pledges Up to $35,000 for Petaluma Adobe

Supporters of the are a little closer to keeping the historic park open, following a pledge from an anonymous donor to match up to $35,000 in donations.

The park, a destination for countless school field trips — including kids from Novato — is one of nearly 70 parks throughout California slated for closure starting July 2012 as a result of statewide budget cuts. , just north of Novato, .

Since the announcement this summer, the Sonoma/Petaluma State Historic Parks Association has been trying to raise awareness about the impending closure, setting up a weekly informational table at the Petaluma Farmers  Market, recruiting new members, contacting businesses and writing editorials in the local press.

But despite the efforts, they have only managed to raise $6,000 for the park, the site of General Mariano Vallejo's cattle ranch in the 1840s.

With the new matching grant donation, made by a charitable trust and announced Wednesday, the group needs to raise $29,000 by end of April.

"We're thrilled about the generous offer of matching funds which will go a long way in helping the association meet its goal of $70,000," said Mary Ann Maslowski, president of the historic association.

The historic building and 41-acre park, once the center of General Mariano Vallejo’s 100-square-mile ranch and important economic hub in Alta California, as the area was called before Mexico ceded it following the Mexican-American War in 1850.

On Feb. 14, the historic association will hold a fundraiser at to drum up more money. Tony Magee, founder and CEO of the brewery, has pledged to help Samuel P. Taylor State Park near the Marin hamlet of Lagunitas stay open as well.

To make a donation, mail a check to S/PSHPA Save the Petaluma Adobe Fund PO Box 1702, Sonoma CA 95476. The S/PSHPA is a registered nonprofit and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information call Philip Sales at 707-592-1601 or email savethepetalumaadobe@gmail.com or check out the Save the Petaluma Adobe Facebook page.