Their Parkway is slowly being assembled to someday become the jewel of their region, and writes another chapter in the marriage of California’s rivers, urban landscapes, natural sanctuaries and recreation.
An excerpt.
For the Parkway
Proposition 84 would help the Valley's pastoral jewel grow.
The Fresno Bee 10/23/06 05:28:13
There is an array of bond measures on the November ballot that some voters may find intimidating. It would be a shame if Proposition 84 got lost in that shuffle.
That's because the measure would bring tens of millions of dollars to the Valley for the San Joaquin River Parkway and other parkways, safe drinking water in rural Valley communities, state parks and river restoration along the San Joaquin.
The parkway would get $36 million if Proposition 84 passes. That's a vital sum to continue the patient and steady growth of the beautiful riparian ribbon running from Friant Dam to Highway 99. The parkway is about 60% complete now, with more than 3,700 acres already assembled.
It's difficult to overstate the value of the parkway — and other open spaces — especially as we face dramatic increases in population over the next few decades. The Valley's population could be doubled, to more than 7 million, as soon as 2040.
We already have a shortage of parks of all kinds. That's only going to get worse — much worse — if we don't act now to meet the coming demand.
Proposition 84 can help in other ways. It contains $500 million for state parks, some of which would be used in the Valley to address this region's great need. And other parkways, including the Kings River Conservancy, would share in $72 million of additional funds under Proposition 84. San Joaquin River restoration and water quality improvements would get $140 million.
