Update: Funding boost for Modesto’s river park gets initial OK, with a caveat
A panel gave tentative support Wednesday to a proposal to roughly double the budget for Tuolumne River Regional Park.
But the idea, involving up to $5 million over four years from the Measure H sales tax in Modesto, still faces hurdles.
The 4-0 vote was from the park’s governing board: Modesto Councilmembers Eric Alvarez and Nick Bavaro and Stanislaus County Supervisors Channce Condit and Mani Grewal.
Alvarez said the county should boost its own share of the park’s funding. He noted that this part of the Tuolumne is flanked by unincorporated areas as well as city neighborhoods.
“It would be hard for us to convince the city of Modesto taxpayers to foot the bill when this river meanders throughout the county,” Alvarez said.
Grewal said he is open to the idea of more county money, possibly from its lodging tax if an enhanced TRRP draws more hotel guests.
This would need support from a majority of the five county supervisors. At least five of the nine City Council members would have to agree to the sales tax spending.
The proposal came from the park board’s Citizen Advisory Committee. Part of the money would increase maintenance and provide full-time park rangers under police supervision.
An estimated $1.5 million would go to paving the parking area under the Ninth Street Bridge. It can be too muddy at times, and too dusty at others, to allow large gatherings.
The advisory committee also suggested $50,000 for a feasibility study on creating TRRP’s first overnight campground. It would be along Legion Park Drive under the draft master plan update that could be released for public comment in early 2026. The governing board did not discuss details Wednesday.
Measure H was approved by Modesto voters in 2022, adding 1% to the sales tax within the city. It raises about $42 million a year, mostly for police, fire and recreation. TRRP is not among the numerous parks upgraded using this money.
The river park has projected income of $692,133 in the fiscal year that began July 1. The county provided $340,329 and the city $297,304. An additional $49,500 is from land leases for cellphone towers and other purposes. The only user fees in the budget are $5,000 to rent the picnic areas and soccer fields.
The spending side includes $365,826 for outside services, such as the master plan update, and $322,790 for maintenance by city staff. The park also has had capital projects funded by state and federal grants, separate from the operating budget.
The park stretches for seven miles between Mitchell and Carpenter roads, managed under a master plan from 2001. Most o the attractions to date are near the airport neighborhood, including picnic shelters under the shade of mature oak trees.
TRRP has extensive trails, a new boat ramp off Neece Drive, and soccer fields near Carpenter.
It draws few visitors compared with Dry Creek Regional Park, a tributary that enters the Tuolumne just east of downtown. Potential visitors to TRRP have cited trash dumping, homeless camps, vandalized restrooms and other concerns.
The park does have some busy days, such as the Turkey Trot races every Thanksgiving morning. In 2022, it hosted youth mountain bikers from around Northern California. The organizers have said a return visit depends on paving the Ninth Street parking area.
The advisory committee chairman is Chris Guptill, who has organized many volunteer cleanups of the Tuolumne stretch near downtown. He said Wednesday that the park has far less trash than in recent years and is a fit place to visit.
The Measure H spending has support from the Yosemite Rivers Alliance, formerly named the Tuolumne River Trust. Its mission includes getting nearby residents out for nature study and other activities.
“We need access,” said Hilary Moak, the group’s Central Valley program director. “We need safety. We need increased recreation and management to keep people coming back.”
