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History / Timeline

1985

Pressure in the Fresno and Madera Area for growth to sprawl into the San Joaquin River bottom begins to increase. The Fresno Bee breaks the news that several development plans threaten the river.

1986

Concerned citizens form a grassroots group, the San Joaquin River Committee to protect the river. River and growth issues spark a public debate surrounding long-term planning and the concept of a San Joaquin River Parkway emerges.

The City of Fresno, Fresno County, and Madera County collaborate and publish the San Joaquin River Reconnaissance Study which documents the many natural and cultural resources the river provides to the community.

The California Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife, chaired by Jim Costa, holds local public hearings that help shape future concepts for the river.

1988

A non-profit land trust, The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust (River Parkway Trust) is formed with an original Board of Directors comprised of twelve community citizens from Fresno and Madera Counties. The River Parkway Trust defines its goals of conservation, education, and recreation and launches two key projects:

• a San Joaquin River Parkway Conceptual Planning Effort
• a River Education Program with Fresno, Madera, and Clovis Unified School Districts

California voters approve Proposition 70, a landmark conservation bond measure that specifically earmarks $5 million for acquiring San Joaquin River Parkway lands.

1989

The San Joaquin River Ecological Reserve is established by the state legislature. The California Wildlife Conservation Board acquires the first unit, the 286 acre Milburn Unit, through a gift/purchase with landowner Don Underdown. The reserve is managed by the Department of Fish and Game.

The River Parkway Trust completes a year-long public planning effort and publishes The San Joaquin River Parkway and Environs Conceptual Plan. The plan gives form to the community's vision for the Parkway, a 30 plus mile linear greenway of natural reserves, parks, and open space between Millerton State Park and Highway 145.

1990

The Wildlife Conservation Board purchases its second property, 147 acres of critical wildlife habitat of the Ball Ranch to be managed as the Willow Unit by the Department of Fish and Game.

A special committee of The Fresno Chamber of Commerce completes their Parkway study and recommends community support.

1991

The San Joaquin River Parkway Task Force is formed and funded through legislation authored by Assemblyman Jim Costa and begins its work to develop a specific plan.

The River Parkway Trust completes the Woodward Bluff Trails Master Design Plan, preparing for the first section of the multi-purpose trail (later renamed the Lewis S. Eaton Trail in 1993).

1992

The Task Force completes the San Joaquin River Parkway Plan which recommends the formation of a state conservancy to acquire, operate, and maintain the Parkway. Assemblyman Jim Costa authored legislation, signed by Governor Wilson, authorizing the establishment of the San Joaquin River Conservancy, the fifth such conservancy in California.

The Wildlife Conservation Board makes its third purchase, another 88 acre portion of the Ball Ranch and adds it to the Willow Unit within the Ecological Reserve.

The River Parkway Trust and City of Fresno receive state approval of a $98,500 matching grant for construction of the first mile of the Parkway's Lewis S. Eaton Trail.

1993

Local citizens raise matching funds for the first mile of the Lewis S. Eaton Trail, named in honor of a civic leader, founding director and early proponent of the Parkway.

The River Parkway Trust’s fifth anniversary marks passage of over 30,000 students through its River Education Program.

The River Parkway Trust and City of Fresno secure Intermodal Surface Transportation Enhancement Act (ISTEA) grants from the California Transportation Commission for construction of three more miles of the Lewis S. Eaton Trail.

1994

The San Joaquin River Conservancy holds its first meeting following ratification by the Madera Board of Supervisors, Fresno City Council, and Fresno Board of Supervisors. The Conservancy's area of interest is along a 22-mile section of the river from Millerton State Park to State Highway 99.

The River Parkway Trust receives $105,000 in funding from Fresno Metropolitan Projects Authority (Arts to Zoo) and a matching grant from California State Parks to build a one-mile section of the Lewis S. Eaton Trail along the northern boundary of Woodward Park.

Parkway projects win approval from California Transportation Commission for $4 million in funding from ISTEA. Of this, the River Parkway Trust and its joint venture partner, the Trust for Public Land, use $3.4 million to acquire 270 acres of Rank Island, a wildlife sanctuary added to the San Joaquin River Ecological Reserve. Reserve area now totals 800 acres with the remaining funds targeted for other land acquisition.

J.M. Long Foundation (Long's Drug Stores) awards $25,000 to the River Parkway Trust and the organization begins its first San Joaquin River Habitat Restoration Project.

Dedication and opening of the first mile of the Lewis S. Eaton Trail takes place.

River Camp has its first session, running for two weeks.

1995

The Rank Island dedication in March is presided over by State Senator Jim Costa and Douglas Wheeler, Secretary of California Resources Agency.

Kiwanis Camp Pashayan, a 31-acre property at Highway 99, acquired by the River Parkway Trust and the California Wildlife Conservation Board, is dedicated for public use. It is open weekends April - October for fishing, picnicking, canoeing and nature watching.

Public lands along the river now totals 1,606 acres - a 45% increase in 7 years.

1996

The first Parkway property in Madera County is purchased. The River Parkway Trust and its joint venture partner, the Trust for Public Land, acquire the Wildwood Property and convey it to the San Joaquin River Conservancy.

The Wildlife Conservation Board grants $100,500 to the River Parkway Trust for restoration of Camp Pashayan and the Willow Unit.

The second mile of the Lewis S. Eaton Trail is completed, including an equestrian trail.

Camp Pashayan is open to the public. Guided canoe trips and Camp Pashayan form the core of the River Parkway Trust's recreational program.

1997

The River Parkway Trust completes its first capital campaign raising over $400,000 in matching funds for five miles of trail construction.

Flood waters spike the highest flows since the building of Friant Dam, 59,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) in millions of dollars of property damage. The River Parkway Trust produces a documentary video. State and Federal agencies revisit flood mapping and flood plain policies.

1998

A new three-mile section of the Lewis S. Eaton Trail along the bluffs near Woodward Park is opened for use.

The River Parkway Trust and The Trust for Public Land acquires Jensen River Ranch and conveys the 167-acre property to the San Joaquin River Conservancy. Funding for the property comes from the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, the California Transportation Commission, and the Wildlife Conservation Board.

The River Parkway Trust receives a Great Valley Center LEGACI grant to define the economic benefit of the Parkway to the Fresno-Madera community and identify sources of funding for long-term stewardship of the Parkway.

The Fresno Chamber of Commerce releases results of a local voter opinion survey of 1200 people that reports more than 80% approval for preserving the San Joaquin River.

The River Parkway Trust signs agreement with the San Joaquin River Conservancy to begin a major restoration of the Jensen River Ranch and allow public access to the property with the design of the Tom MacMichael Loop Trail.

The River Parkway marks its 10-year anniversary and celebrates a decade of perpetual Parkway progress. Parkway lands now total more than 2,300 acres and five miles of the planned 22-mile trail system is complete.

The River Parkway Trust signs an agreement with Calmat (now Vulcan Materials) to acquire and restore the historic Riverview Ranch house and dairy barn as a river studies education center.

A $4 million land acquisition grant is received from the Packard Foundation for the acquisition of Spano River Ranch.

The California Wildlife Conservation Board approves a grant to the River Parkway Trust for restoration of river lands along Riverside Golf Course.

River Camp runs for an outstandingly successful five weeks.

1999

Restoration of the Riverview Ranch House begins with the collaborative efforts of East Fresno Rotary; the facility (renamed the Coke Hallowell Center for River Studies) is slated to open to the public in the fall of 2000.

An interim loop trail on the 167-acre Jensen River Ranch is completed, giving the community another access-point to the San Joaquin River. A permanent loop trail will be constructed after restoration plans for the property are completed.

A report that chronicles the Economic Benefits of the San Joaquin River Parkway is published by CSUF Economics Professor Scott Hauser and former River Parkway Trust Land Stewardship Director Deborah North.

Title to the 35-acre Riverbottom Park (near Riverside Golf Course), is deeded to the City of Fresno. The river bottom land is added to the Parkway and becomes another public access point to the San Joaquin River.

The River Parkway Trust is awarded The Fresno Bee’s Excellence in Business Award for the Non-Profit category.

Two Conservation Easements are added to the San Joaquin River Parkway. One is a partnership with the American Farmland Trust to permanently protect 100-acres of pistacio trees near the Milburn Ecological Reserve. The second is an easement on a 700-acre cattle ranch that was donated by the Hallowell family.

The San Joaquin River Parkway is given the Medallion Award by the Landscape Architect Society of America.

2000

The San Joaquin River Conservancy adds two new properties to the Parkway: the 358-acre Ball Ranch and 64-acre Wagner Property.

Parkway lands total nearly 2800 acres.