Lower Presidio Historic Park Photo Contest

Old Monterey Foundation, Padre Trails Camera Club and Myrick Photographic have teamed up to hold a special Lower Presidio Historic Park Photo Contest this Spring. Entrants are asked to take a photo of or on or from any part of the 25 acre park and email their 1024x768 photo to[email protected] no later than May 1, 2016. (Maximum of 3 images). Stephen Myrick, owner of Myrick Photographic, will head up the panel of judges and decisions will be made by May 23, 2016.

 

The first place winner will receive a 12x18 canvas gallery wrap of their winning image donated by Myrick Photographic and a “Friends of the Lower Presidio” membership ($100 value) donated by Old Monterey Foundation. The second and third place winners will each receive a $25 gift certificate from Myrick Photographic and a “Friends of the Lower Presidio” membership ($100 value). There will also be $20 cash prizes each for five participants whose images receive Honorable Mention that will be provided by Padre Trails Camera Club. The winning photos will be displayed on the Old Monterey Foundation website with a photo credit. The photos will be judged by the basic elements of a good photographic image, composition, exposure, subject interest, sharpness, and creativity. For any questions, call (831) 633-4444 or email [email protected].  

 

About the Padre Trails Camera Club

 

Padre Trails Camera Club (PTCC) has been an active forum for photographers on the Monterey Peninsula since 1948. Today, Club members express their artistic creativity through digital photography and print making. PTCC members benefit through open discussion, image and technique sharing, informational programs, field trips, "Group Shoots" and friendly competition. The meetings are free and open to the public and the schedule is on the website, www.padretrailscc.org. Annual membership is $30/year. Whether you shoot film or capture images digitally, whether you're experienced or just beginning, if your goal is to create more compelling images, Padre Trails Camera Club can help.

 

About Myrick Photographic

 

Stephen Myrick, owner of Myrick Photographic, will be one of the judges of the Lower Presidio Historic Park Photo Contest. Since 1979, the award-winning Myrick Photographic has been the first choice of many professional and amateur photographers. Myrick Photographic stocks a wide selection of photographic products and related items from many renowned brands at their retail store located at 1193 10th Street (next to Vapor Cleaners) in Monterey and in their popular online store at www.myrickphoto.com.  Myrick Photographic offers the finest selection of pre-owned photographic equipment on the Central Coast. They also stock tripods, camera bags, filters, batteries, chargers and many camera accessories.  In addition they have a selection of darkroom supplies and binoculars.  Myrick Photographic can print your favorite images from wallet size to as large as 40" x 60" and they print from your mobile device too. Their photofinishing lab also produces canvas prints, premium photo books and photo albums, wall art and related accessories. They provide video transferring and archiving, video duplication, USA passport photos, enlargements, photo retouching, restoration, film, slide and print scanning services in house. Printing your photos is a breeze via their online ordering portal. Their photo lab is equipped with the finest photo finishing equipment and their knowledgeable, experienced staff is always available to help customers find the best solutions for their photographic needs.  For more information, go to www.myrickphoto.com.

 

About the Lower Presidio Historic Park

 

The Lower Presidio Historic Park, described as “The Most Historically Significant Site on the West Coast” and “One of the Most Beautiful Places in Monterey” is on its way to becoming a true historic public park to be enjoyed by locals and visitors.Old Monterey Foundation, in cooperation with the City of Monterey and Department of the Army, has raised initial funds to begin Phase One of the project to enhance and restore this historic 25.3-acre site and is now seeking public donations to help complete Phase One of the $680,000 project. Old MontereyFoundation invites everyone to become members of “Friends of the Lower Presidio” and make tax-deductible donations to more quickly restore the park.

 

The Lower Presidio Historic Park is one of the least-visited historic parks in the area due to some confusion about whether the public is allowed in the area.   Situated in a “hidden in plain sight” location, the Park can be found on Corporal Ewing Drive above Pacific Street at the Lighthouse Curve in Downtown Monterey. The park features spectacular views of the Monterey Bay and Harbor and will become a jewel of the City of Monterey’s park system.

 

To become a member of “Friends of the Lower Presidio”, individuals and businesses can donate at www.oldmontereyfoundation.org or call (831) 521-2313 for more information. These donations will help Old Monterey Foundation to complete the immediate goal of completing Phase One of the project at the end of 2016 and to make progress beyond that time for the 200th Anniversary of the Bouchard Raid in 1818 and Monterey’s 250th birthday in June 2020.

 

Old Monterey Foundation continues to work with many other stakeholder groups, including City of MontereyOld Monterey Business Association, MontereyPeninsula Regional Park District, State of California and more. Old MontereyFoundation is also working on collaborations with the public and other organizations locally and throughout the world.

 
Eric Palmer and Anne McGrath of the City of Monterey Outreach Office recently completed an informative short video about the Lower Presidio Historic Park and its significance to California and American history:  https://youtu.be/Lg7X0spnC4k

 

Visiting the Lower Presidio Historic Park

 

This centrally located site has tremendous potential for all park-goers. It can be a first stop for any visitor to the Monterey Peninsula with its gorgeous views, perfect for their photos and memories of the area. It is a great destination for simply relaxing, walking, running, biking, hiking, playing frisbee golf, touch football, doing yoga and other exercise, enjoying picnics with family or friends, meeting for reunions and it is even a unique place for wedding proposals. Artists and photographers will find it a wonderful site for their work and many other target groups will be invited to visit. Students can come to the park as well as any visitor to the area who wants to learn more about California history.  

 

Currently, it can be visited at any time of day but it is important to pack in and out any food or items brought to the site. If desired, visitors may choose to bring a chair or small table for a lunch or dinner with an extraordinary view. Ultimately, when Phase One of the project is concluded, there will be benches, tables and trash receptacles.

 

To arrange an interview with Bill McCrone, Secretary of Old Monterey Foundation, please contact Wendy Brickman at (831) 633-4444 or email[email protected]. For more information and directions, to donate and become a member of the Friends of the Lower Presidio, to volunteer and learn about future Old Monterey Foundation events, go towww.oldmontereyfoundation.org.

 

Directions to the Park and Presidio of Monterey Museum:

 

 From Monterey, take Pacific Street past the Monterey Conference Center and the First Theater to the end of Pacific where it forks, take the left fork;, turn left onto Artillery Road, turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it a short way to the Presidio of Monterey Museum in the center of the Park against the hill; from Pacific Grove, take Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey, bear right to go onto Pacific Street and then go to Artillery Road, turn right, and then turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it to the Presidio of Monterey Museum.

 

http://www.monterey.org/museums/Home/Map-and-Directions?2