The city organized a series of community workshops in late 2011 to develop the Waterford River Parkways Trail Design Plan and subsequently submitted and was awarded a $1,500,000 grant from the State’s Natural Resources Agency to implement the Plan. Numerous opportunities and challenges were discussed in making trail improvements along Waterford’s stretch of the Tuolumne River. In attendance were representatives from the City Council, Planning Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, Waterford Unified School District, Tuolumne River Trust, Stanislaus Audobon Society, River Point Home Owner’s Association, East Stanislaus Resource Conservation Service, River Park Citizen’s Group, Waterford Lion’s Club, Tuolumne River Adventure Club, residents, and city staff.
Waterford’s Tuolumne River Parkway Design Plan provides a visual and written record of the City of Waterford’s community vision for recreation, open space, education, and habitat conservation along approximately two miles of the Tuolumne River corridor.
The overall plan, as proposed will create/expand natural trails for walking with natural materials, and non-motorized river access for a fishing/small boat (canoes, kayaks); provide amenities along the way like picnic tables and shade ramadas; remove non-native trees/plants along the stream corridor, and plant appropriate native trees/plants; provide interpretive signage, informational displays/kiosks; and create access down a steep bluff to the river with a paved parking lot and light poles at the trail head.
Much work remains to be done as it relates to technical studies with biologists, arborists, and engineering for work related to creating bluff access, ADA accessible ramps, fishing docks, etc., in addition to various federal and state permits required by these actions. The plan details significant improvements to the parkway, and now with funding in place, implementation will begin in 2013 and continue through 2014 till complete.
TUOLUMNE RIVER PARKWAY DESIGN PLAN
UPDATED RIVER TRAIL PLANS
BID AUTHORIZATION SUMMARY – REINWAY RIVER ACCESS
RIVER PARKWAYS GRANT – COST ESTIMATE
