The public is invited to celebrate Annadel State Park remaining open which will be celebrated on Sunday, July 1, with a benefit breakfast followed by a walk, run or bicycle ride through the park.

July 1 was the day the park was supposed to be closed because of budget cuts throughout the state. Instead, it will be a day of recognition and exploration as Sonoma County Regional Parks assumes temporary management of the park.

Park supporters will gather from 9 a.m.-noon at the nearby Spring Lake swimming lagoon, where the new Lakeside Grill will serve a buffet breakfast for a suggested $10 donation to Annadel. Regional Parks Director Caryl Hart and others will talk about the county’s plan to run the park for the coming year and will thank the community for raising more than $200,000 needed to keep it open. The public is encouraged to visit Annadel on foot, bike or horseback before or after breakfast, and a ranger will lead at least one excursion into the park.

The gathering is organized by Friends of Annadel, a new community group promoting fundraising and volunteer projects for the park. Those who attend will learn more about becoming an official Friend of Annadel with a $20, $100 or $1,000 donation.

California State Parks announced last year that Annadel was among 70 parks that would close July 1 due to budget cuts. Annadel supporters rallied around the park, and the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors earlier this month approved the agreement allowing Regional Parks to operate Annadel for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.  For more information about Sunday’s celebration and becoming a Friend of Annadel, visit FriendOfAnnadel.org. Donations for Annadel also are accepted through the Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation at SonomaCountyParks.org.

For more information, call Regional Parks at 565-2041.