Proposed $30 tax endangers 'coming of age' ritual in remote California areas
A longtime resident of Hayfork has initiated a final attempt to rescue the public pool by proposing a special tax ballot initiative.
TroibNews 
For many years, the public pool in Hayfork, California, has been a source of pride for this small unincorporated community. A ballot initiative is now set to decide its future, raising concerns about whether it will remain operational.
Hayfork, located in the rugged Trinity County and characterized by its single road and absence of traffic lights, is far removed from urban centers. The area, known for its challenging terrain, is often described by locals as so vast that if it were shaken out like a blanket, it could rival Texas in size.
For residents, the pool is emblematic of the town's spirit. Constructed by community members in the 1960s, it has functioned as a central gathering place over the years. Many generations of locals learned to swim in its welcoming waters.
“The pool is the jewel of our town,” said Nancy Jackson, a longtime resident. “It’s a coming-of-age place, it’s a place where kids get their first jobs.”
However, the population of about 2,000 faces the potential loss of this beloved space due to a funding shortfall that threatens its closure. The community is experiencing another economic downturn, and Trinity County plans to shut down three libraries and the lone animal shelter. Though the pool and its surrounding park receive only minimal funding from the county, they are not insulated from broader economic challenges. A 2023 upgrade to the pool was financed by a $100,000 federal Community Development Block grant, yet the annual operating costs are nearly equivalent to that amount.
In response, Jackson has spearheaded a final effort to preserve the pool and park through a special tax ballot initiative that would require property owners to contribute $30 annually per parcel. The Friends of the Hayfork Park, led by Jackson, opted for a special tax because a general tax would have directed funds to the county rather than the town’s park district—this initiative requires a two-thirds supermajority to be approved.
Measure M faces significant challenges. While there is no organized opposition to the parcel tax, achieving the two-thirds requirement is daunting in a Republican-leaning county where tax increases are often met with skepticism. To bolster support, Jackson's group is leveraging social media to evoke nostalgia for the park, submitting letters to the local weekly paper, and organizing a community event at the park on October 5.
The primary aim of Measure M is to remind residents not to take their pool for granted. Jackson noted that the county has indicated its intention to drain and fill in the pool if the measure does not pass.
“I'm pretty sure there would be a whole bunch of people surrounding that pool not allowing it to get filled in,” Jackson said. “We dug that hole ourselves.”
If you're interested in similar content, consider subscribing to PMG’s California Playbook PM newsletter.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
Hayfork, located in the rugged Trinity County and characterized by its single road and absence of traffic lights, is far removed from urban centers. The area, known for its challenging terrain, is often described by locals as so vast that if it were shaken out like a blanket, it could rival Texas in size.
For residents, the pool is emblematic of the town's spirit. Constructed by community members in the 1960s, it has functioned as a central gathering place over the years. Many generations of locals learned to swim in its welcoming waters.
“The pool is the jewel of our town,” said Nancy Jackson, a longtime resident. “It’s a coming-of-age place, it’s a place where kids get their first jobs.”
However, the population of about 2,000 faces the potential loss of this beloved space due to a funding shortfall that threatens its closure. The community is experiencing another economic downturn, and Trinity County plans to shut down three libraries and the lone animal shelter. Though the pool and its surrounding park receive only minimal funding from the county, they are not insulated from broader economic challenges. A 2023 upgrade to the pool was financed by a $100,000 federal Community Development Block grant, yet the annual operating costs are nearly equivalent to that amount.
In response, Jackson has spearheaded a final effort to preserve the pool and park through a special tax ballot initiative that would require property owners to contribute $30 annually per parcel. The Friends of the Hayfork Park, led by Jackson, opted for a special tax because a general tax would have directed funds to the county rather than the town’s park district—this initiative requires a two-thirds supermajority to be approved.
Measure M faces significant challenges. While there is no organized opposition to the parcel tax, achieving the two-thirds requirement is daunting in a Republican-leaning county where tax increases are often met with skepticism. To bolster support, Jackson's group is leveraging social media to evoke nostalgia for the park, submitting letters to the local weekly paper, and organizing a community event at the park on October 5.
The primary aim of Measure M is to remind residents not to take their pool for granted. Jackson noted that the county has indicated its intention to drain and fill in the pool if the measure does not pass.
“I'm pretty sure there would be a whole bunch of people surrounding that pool not allowing it to get filled in,” Jackson said. “We dug that hole ourselves.”
If you're interested in similar content, consider subscribing to PMG’s California Playbook PM newsletter.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
