RecFest returns to Tuolumne River in Modesto. Free paddling, bicycling and more
The annual Modesto RecFest will be held Saturday in Tuolumne River Regional Park.
The free event offers paddling, bicycling, fishing, nature study and more near the Ninth Street Bridge. It will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The main organizer is the Yosemite Rivers Alliance, rebranded last year from the Tuolumne River Trust. Numerous nonprofits and government agencies are co-sponsors, and volunteers are still needed.
The park runs along seven river miles between the Mitchell and Carpenter road bridges. The Ninth Street segment has a small restored floodplain and paved and dirt paths.
RecFest will be within view of the Seventh Street Bridge replacement, which launched in March and will take about two years. The new span will provide better access to the park for walkers, bikers and wheelchair users.
RecFest sponsors will provide free use of bicycles, fishing gear and boats for people who do not bring their own. A sampling of the fun:
- Paddling on the Tuolumne, which is flowing at a manageable level
- Birdwatching, assisted by the Stanislaus Audubon Society
- Lessons from the Modesto Area Disc Golfers, also known as Frisbee golf
- Orienteering, using a compass and other tools to find one’s way
- Cycling for both street and mountain bikes. The co-sponsors include a youth racing group, the Dust Devils.
Volunteers can sign up for one of two shifts, said an email from Hilary Moak, the Central Valley program director for Yosemite Rivers Alliance. One is from 8:30 to 11 am., the other from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Volunteers can register on the event website to help with parking, activity stations, cleanup and other needs.
Festival co-sponsors include the Modesto Outdoor Recreation Alliance. Among its members is Operation 9-2-99, which has done many trash cleanups on the Tuolumne between the Ninth Street and Highway 99 bridges. Another is the Dry Creek Trails Coalition, named for a nearby tributary.
The city of Modesto is a RecFest sponsor, as are the Stanislaus County recreation and health departments. Families can meet with the Police Activities League and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stanislaus County.
California State Parks will be at the event with information on Dos Rios Ranch, where the Tuolumne meets the San Joaquin River.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will take part. It operates Knights Ferry and a few other Stanislaus River parks. Other co-sponsors are Visit Modesto, which promotes tourism, and the American Medical Response ambulance service.
