We are dedicated to providing our rural California community with access to the best educational, recreational and local historical programming in the North State.
Manton Parks is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization. EIN 87-4590549
The Manton Parks Story
When the Manton School was closed down by the local school district in 2018, a once vibrant school and the central gathering hub in Manton was left to exist empty on its own, without stewardship, devoid of the life it had offered the community for decades. The children of hundreds of families were left to choose being bussed to more populous areas or homeschool options.
For more than half a decade, the school sat mostly empty with the exception of a small educational non-profit that roared to action to build enrichment for local children, as well as the annual Manton Apple Festival that remained the highlight of the town’s year.
In 2022, the community rallied together to fund the purchase of the campus, bringing it under local control again through the newly formed Manton Parks non-profit organization. In October of 2023, Manton Parks closed escrow on the campus after raising $86,000 from the community and a generous $75,000 grant from the McConnell foundation.
Today, Manton Parks is a self-sustaining non-profit that is central to the social, recreational and business aspects of our small town. Run by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, the events and activities on campus are hosted by volunteer community members or local other non-profits. The campus is home to the locally-run Manton Education Council’s homeschool and after-school programs.
Individuals and experts in their fields bring social events and workshops to campus, such as teaching the art of fermentation, sourdough baking, Native American traditions, and historical lectures about local California history.
A low-cost commercial kitchen and a digitally-enabled “Zoom room” create small business empowerment opportunities to support rural entrepreneurs and groups needing more formal space to work to achieve economic independence and success.
We welcome you to join us and visit our campus!
Governance
Manton Parks is governed by a 5-member, all-volunteer board of directors who are working hard behind the scenes to make the campus and its programs available to all.
MAPS in the News
Read about what the media is saying about our campus and the exciting events and happenings around town.
Visit Us
31345 Forward Mills Road
Manton, CA 96059