The Project
The San Joaquin River Conservancy proposes to extend the existing Lewis S. Eaton Trail by constructing a multipurpose trail extension with ancillary recreation support features. The Eaton Trail would be extended approximately 2.4 miles from the Perrin Avenue alignment near Highway 41 to Spano Park.
The River West Fresno project will provide public access to 500 acres of open space and the San Joaquin River. Once complete, there will be a continuous trail from the River Center on Old Friant Road to Palm and Nees.
Complete project documentation is available on the State Conservancy website at this link.
The CEQA Process
The proposed River West Fresno project includes one vehicle access point at the Perrin Avenue Undercrossing off of Highway 41. This is excellent access for residents of Madera County but requires an additional 10-mile round trip for Fresno residents to access this Fresno property. Fresno residents would have to drive into Madera County on Highway 41, and then back into Fresno on the old 41 bridge to reach the site.
The Environmental Impact Report studied several project alternatives to provide additional vehicle access to the project site from Fresno. Alternative 1 would provide access at Riverview Drive just off of Audubon, a public road to public property. Alternative 5 would provide vehicle access on an old gravel haul road at the end of Nees Avenue. The River Parkway Trust is encouraged the Conservancy Board to approve the River West EIR with Alternative 1 —providing additional vehicle access to the project site from the City of Fresno.
What's Happening Now
On August 12, 2020, the Conservancy board approved an addendum to the project environmental impact report (EIR) that allows for vehicle access at Alternative 1. Unfortunately, the board also approved "reasonable progress" on the benchmarks that were supposed to be met by the neighbor's group incorporated as the San Joaquin River Access Corporation (SJRAC). During the closed session, the Board also approved a settlement agreement with the SJRAC to end their litigation against the Conservancy regarding Alternative 5b. We don't yet know what the settlement agreement says, as it will not be released to the public until it is signed by all parties.
