State Grant Funds Restoration and Affordable Campground for Manila Parcel

Friends of the Dunes announced on December 15 that it obtained $431,500 from the California State Coastal Conservancy to acquire and restore a blighted 6.5 acre property at 150 Stamps Lane in Manila. The parcel, long neglected after foreclosure and frequently used as an illegal dumping site, sits adjacent to the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center. The grant-funded purchase aims to remove hazards, stabilize the site, and expand responsible coastal access while protecting nearby habitat.

The nonprofit plans a feasibility analysis to determine next steps. Options under consideration include refurbishing existing structures to house an on site caretaker and developing an affordable campground through the Conservancy's Explore the Coast Overnight Program. The analysis will examine environmental impacts, infrastructure needs, and operating models that balance public access with conservation goals.

Friends of the Dunes will work with a coalition of local and federal partners to shape the project. Collaborators include the Peninsula Community Collaborative, the Manila Community Services District, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Humboldt Bay Wildlife Refuge. Planned improvements also focus on the park entrance and trail connectivity to link the parcel with nearby recreational and educational resources.

The project carries immediate public health and community implications. Removing illegal waste and securing the property can reduce exposure to physical hazards, lower wildfire risk, and limit contamination that can affect groundwater and wildlife. A staffed presence through a caretaker could also deter further dumping and provide timely response to safety issues. An affordable campground would expand overnight access to the coast for residents who often face rising travel costs, advancing equitable outdoor recreation and local tourism opportunities.

Friends of the Dunes expects to complete the purchase and close on the property in early 2026. The feasibility study will guide community engagement, permitting, and funding plans for restoration and program development. For Humboldt County residents the initiative represents both a remediation of a troubled site and a potential increase in managed, affordable coastal access that aims to serve local needs while protecting sensitive shoreline habitat.