New state park in California opens to visitors

The first new state park established in California in a decade began accepting guests this week, though work at the park continues.

California State Parks said more than 200 people turned up to celebrate the opening of Dos Rios State Park. The newest state park in California’s lineup, Dos Rios is found just outside Modesto in the San Joaquin Valley.

“Attendees toured the park and saw restoration efforts, participated in mural painting and bicycle riding, and learned how to contribute to the future of Dos Rios,” organizers said.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared Dos Rios State Park open to the public in an official proclamation.

“Today, we celebrate the opening of Dos Rios—our first new State Park in a decade,” Newsom said, “which creates new outdoor recreation opportunities for Central Valley communities, provides habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife, and advances the state’s innovative efforts to combat the climate crisis using nature-based solutions.”

At about 1,600 acres in size, or about 650 hectares, Dos Rios “is the largest public-private floodplain restoration project in California to restore habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife at the Tuolumne and San Joaquin Rivers,” California State Parks said.

The state first announced the forthcoming establishment of Dos Rios State Park last month.

The opening of Dos Rios State Park was timed to occur during the annual California State Parks Week, only the third such week of activities held. The festivities have been running from June 12 and will wrap up this Sunday, June 16.

“The public can participate in more than 200 in-person and virtual programming celebrating the state’s parks and the people who visit and help protect them,” California State Parks said in a release.

Though Governor Newsom declared the park open for business, there’s still much work to be done at Dos Rios.

The park is currently available for day use until 5 pm. California State Parks said for the time being camping is not permitted there.

And though the park features two rivers, water access is limited.

Expanded river access to allow visitors to fish, swim, or even just ride a bike along the river banks “will involve a public engagement process that includes consultation with area tribes,” the parks authority says.

The very name of the park may even change. The state government landed on Dos Rios State Park as a placeholder name, with officials clarifying that “the official name and park classification of Dos Rios will soon be determined and approved by the California State Park and Recreation Commission.”

Officials said it took about 10 years and $40 million to set up this newest state park.

“San Joaquin Valley residents will be able to get out and experience the world at home and enjoy the richness that makes the Central Valley one of the most fertile and incredible places in the world,” said California State Parks director Armando Quintero.

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