A woman who helped create Empire Mine State Park has died. Virginia Brunini was 90. Park Ranger Greg Sherr says Brunini convinced the State Parks Department to purchase the land in 1975..

click to listen to Ranger Sherr

Brunini worked with former Assemblyman Bill Bagley, who served as a liaison for the transaction. She later became a real estate agent in Marin County and eventually moved to Grass Valley in 2008. Sherr says Brunini remained involved in the Empire Mine Park Association and then helped keep it from being sold and closed by the state in 2014…

click to listen to Ranger Sherr

Sherr says in addition to preserving recreational space, Empire Mine State Park helps the public never forget about mining practices that were prevalent long ago that also left toxic residue.