The Current
October 2021
Conservation

Please save the date for the next Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission meeting on Monday, October 18, at 5:30 pm. This is the first meeting where the public can participate in person. Please check the city website for more information about in-person meetings.

The meeting will include a webinar presentation by the City's consultant WRT on the Highest-Needs Neighborhoods in Fresno. The webinar will include an open forum for community discussion, Q & A, and soliciting community feedback through survey questions.

To download a flyer about the Highest Needs-Neighborhood workshop, please click here.

Click here to register for the Zoom webinar.

Commission agendas and other supporting documents are posted on the City of Fresno website. Click the button below to access the City's upcoming meetings webpage.

If you have questions about the Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission, please contact Commissioner Sarah Parkes at sparkes@riverparkway.org or call 559-248-8480 ext. 107.
Program Update!
Trout Pond Mitigation Plantings




The River Parkway Trust was awarded a competitive bid from the CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife to complete the mitigation plantings required for the Trout Improvement Project that was constructed in 2020. The mitigation project includes planting 70 native trees and shrubs at Sycamore Island this month, with 123 more trees being planted later this winter. If you would like to help with the planting, sign up for the October River Stewards volunteer day coming up on the 23rd.
River Stewards
Join us as we plant native trees and shrubs along the ponds at Sycamore Island. 

Saturday, October 23, 9 am - 12 pm

Ages 10 and up are welcome to attend.
Education
River Buddies Weekend Explorers - Bird Buddies (Pre-K and K)
Saturday, October 23 - 9 am - 11 am River Center

During the two-hour long session, your Weekend Explorer will go on a one-hour nature walk, do a craft activity, sing fun songs, listen to a story, and end with a stimulating hands-on activity, all related to the day's educational theme! Your child will leave the River Center with a curious mind wanting to know more about our local environment and its native species. River Buddies Weekend Explorers is open to children between the ages of 3 1/2 and 6 years old.
The fee for each program session is $15 per child and online registration & payment in advance is required.
Weekend Youth Naturalist (Ages 6-9)
Saturday, October 23 - 12:30 pm - 3 pm Sumner Peck Ranch

The Weekend Youth Naturalist Program aims to equip the next generation with skills to be natural explorers and stewards of Earth through fun, exploratory learning activities. Each 2.5-hour trip includes a nature hike, scientific exploration activity, game, and sensory or experiential activity at a property along the San Joaquin River Parkway. 
This adventure requires your child to be between the ages of 6 and 9 to participate.
Please note that there is a $15.00 fee per child and advance registration with online payment is required for participation.
NEW PROGRAM! Weekend River Warriors (Ages 10-13)
Saturday, October 30 - 9 am - 12:30 pm Owl Hollow

Does your “tween” enjoy the outdoors, facing new challenges, and meeting new people? Our NEW Weekend River Warriors program is just for them! Each three-hour long session will include a variety of hands-on team building, leadership, and science and engineering activities in an outdoor setting along the San Joaquin River Parkway. Most program dates also include a cool craft to take home. Your River Warrior will use critical thinking skills while having fun and forming new friendships at each session!  Weekend River Warriors is open to youth between the ages of 10 and 13 years old. The fee for each program session is $25 per child and online registration & payment in advance is required.
Education Docents
River Parkway Trust is Recruiting for Education Docents 

If you enjoy being outdoors, want to stay active and healthy, and like working with children, the Trust's Education Docent program is the perfect volunteer opportunity for you.

Upcoming Training Date:
Recreation
NEW Ranch House Art Exhibit:
"Four Women Who Paint"
The River Parkway Trust is proud to display the paintings of Diane Abbott, Jessica Keller, Susan Guzzetta, and Kikuko Young in the River Center Gallery for the months of October and November 2021. Come join the artists for an opening reception from 11 am-2 pm on October 16th and walk through the River Center Gallery, each room portraying a different artist. Light refreshments will be provided. 
Autumn Nature Walk

October 23, 2021
9:00 am

Join us for this free nature walk from Sumner Peck Ranch to Ledger Island! You'll look for wildlife, learn about the local environment, and enjoy the fall weather on this ~2-hour hike.
Sycamore Island Hours Change!

From October-November Sycamore Island operating hours will be Friday, Saturday, and Sundays from 6:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Visit this site to fish, canoe, picnic, birdwatch, or hike along the San Joaquin River.