We represent the partnership between our community’s institutions and its natural landscape.
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.
Manton Parks is working to improve the campus while also offering educational and recreational programs like after-school support, a youth library, and gathering spaces. Manton Parks invites everyone to participate, volunteer, and contribute, as we grow and thrive!
Meet our Board of Directors
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. The board welcomes suggestions, volunteers, and of course donations, to help us further our mission as a non-profit.
Imagine our Future:
Identify the Roots
We are taking steps towards identifying the iconic elements of our town and preserving them for future generations. This includes both constructed elements, natural resources, and cultural institutions such as our annual Manton Apple Festival and the Manton Historical Museum.
Enrich the Soil
We will be playing to and making improvements to our traditional strengths while also preparing the ground for future seedling ideas to prosper and grow. Now is the time for action while nature and technology meet in unprecedented ways to open up new opportunities for our culture.
Future Resilience
Ours is a generational vision, inspired by a rich history and confidence that our future will be sustained with pride by our children and children’s children. Reach out to us and let your talents be part of a robust tradition while also creating new ones.
Visit Us
31345 Forward Mills Road
Manton, CA 96059