The Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC) has launched the final phase of its $2.7 million campaign to preserve Mill Bend and is seeking the last $205,000 needed to preserve and protect Mill Bend in perpetuity as a community-owned park.

The Redwood Coast Land Conservancy announced Tuesday it has won two new grants totaling $1.3 million for the Gualala River Mill Bend Conservation Project to create a park reserve for the community at the Gualala River estuary.

The Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC) announced this week an award of $845,000 toward the purchase of the 113- acre Mill Bend property at the mouth of the Gualala River.

With this revised order, RCLC has decided to reopen Hearn Gulch and Cooks Beach to make them available for recreation and the enjoyment of nature during this challenging time.

"The Gualala Community Center was overflowing with interested local residents when the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy held a public meeting ...

"A 112-acre swath of land just inside the mouth of the Gualala River, including 13 acres of river frontage adjacent to Gualala Point Regional Park, is on its way to permanent preservation for public recreation and habitat conservation."

This is the first time the Mill Bend property has been on the market in more than 60 years.

About 70 people crowded into the Gualala Community Center Wednesday evening to consider the future of the last holdings of Gualala Redwoods Inc., including the Mill Bend parcel, the dramatic river view at the south gateway to Mendocino County.