Excellent source of funding, but one wonders why no projects were reported as developed here…though an American River group further up the river did quite well.
Riverfront parks embrace cash flow
Yolo County is the region's big recipient as funds from 2002's Prop. 50 are distributed for various projects; West Sacramento's River Walk is to be extended, with habitat restored.
By Lakiesha McGhee - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Al Calvart is the eyes and ears for Elkhorn Regional Park, a 55- acre oasis along the Sacramento River, tucked off Interstate 5 in Yolo County.
The volunteer live-in park host keeps an eye on the few picnic tables and the boat ramp -- the park's main attraction.
On Tuesday, Calvart sat outside the mobile home overlooking the park where he stays rent-free.
"Listen," he said. "What do you hear besides the airplanes? That's what I like, the peace and quiet."
More of the park's beauty is about to be open to the public, thanks to the state's voters.
Proposition 50, or the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002, specifically earmarked $100 million to restore and preserve the state's riverfronts.
The $32.7 million granted to 35 river parkway projects in June was the second round in the three-year giveaway for river parkways, said Bryan Cash, deputy assistant secretary with the state Resources Agency.
River projects proposed for Yolo County hauled in the region's largest share -- $2.8 million for county parks and West Sacramento's river walkway.
A state grant of $427,000 for the Yolo County Planning Resources and Public Works Department will carve a 700-foot trail at Elkhorn Regional Park. The new trail will meander through a lush forest of wild vines and cottonwood trees. Additional picnic tables will be installed and wildlife habitat improved.
Other projects along the American and Sacramento rivers in the Sacramento region garnered another $2 million, including one proposal to convert asphalt back to grass along the American River…
… The American River Conservancy will receive $1.7 million to buy 56 acres on the south fork of the American River, said Alan Ehrgott, the conservancy's executive director.
The land will offer a trail corridor and a new park site along the river, he said. One of the properties is densely developed and will revert from an asphalt parking lot back to its natural state, Ehrgott said.
