Waterford to dedicate parkway along Tuolumne River

Residents on Saturday will celebrate a new riverside park that offers a place for picnics, nature study and some serious cardio on a 150-foot-high staircase.

Waterford’s portion of the Tuolumne River Parkway, which has other sites down past Modesto, will be dedicated at 10 a.m. A small piece on the east end has been in use for a decade. The rest is brand new.

Waterford sits atop a bluff along the river, which explains the staircase that zigzags down from the parking lot at the west end of the project. It has drawn visitors even before the grand opening, such as Kevin Hook, who did the 135 steps Tuesday.

“I do a little jogging and walking,” he said, “and I found a den of foxes on the trail.”

The city used $2.8 million in state grants to cover most of the project cost. Visitors will find trails, picnic tables, swimming spots, restrooms and places to view wildlife. A ramp for non-motorized boats will be added next year, but rafts and canoes already can slide in from the banks.

The 29-acre project covers the entire Tuolumne stretch that forms Waterford’s southern boundary. “City limit to city limit, we have a whole trail system,” City Manager Tim Ogden said.

Waterford, founded in 1857 and now home to nearly 9,000 people, did not have a park along the river until 2006. That was when the Grupe Co., as part of building a subdivision, donated adjacent land off North Appling Road for public use.

City officials and supporters have worked since then on the grant applications, land acquisitions and designs needed to expand the improvements downstream to South Reinway Avenue. The effort involved schools, civic groups, environmental groups and other partners.

The project included removing invasive plants, notably tree of heaven, to improve habitat for fish and other creatures. The Tuolumne River Trust and the Stanislaus Audubon Society have been key players.

The park has kiosks that tell visitors about trees, birds and other life along the river. Another explains how cleansed water is released into the river from Waterford’s sewage treatment plant, which includes ponds in plain view from a switchback trail.

Waterford businesses have long served people passing through on their way to Don Pedro Reservoir, Yosemite National Park and other recreational areas. Mayor Mike Van Winkle said he would like them to stop at the new parkway for rafting, bird watching and more. He also sees potential for schoolchildren.

“I think it’s a good way to get them active and teach them about the heritage of Waterford,” he said.

This story was originally published May 19, 2016 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Waterford to dedicate parkway along Tuolumne River."