THE CURRENT
January 2021
Visit Sumner Peck Ranch this weekend
Due to popular demand, the River Parkway Trust will again offer open house days at Sumner Peck Ranch this weekend, January 15th through 18th.

In order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, this will be a self-guided property tour. A property map will be distributed to all registered participants. Each open house time slot is limited to 18 vehicles. Pre-registration is required. Click the links below to register now.


Citrus is in season at Sumner Peck! Visitors may pick citrus while visiting the property. Bring a 5-gallon bucket or cloth shopping bag to pick and carry produce at the following prices: $1 per pound of any citrus variety. The orchard includes Tango Mandarins, Minneola Tangelos, Naval and Blood Oranges, and Pomelos. We will have a scale set up near the parking area and will be able to take cash or credit card payments for any citrus purchases.

Please note there will not be public restrooms available at the site. Keep this in mind and plan your visit accordingly.

We look forward to seeing you there.
Visitors enjoy a first look at the Trust's newly acquired Sumner Peck Ranch property.
Outdoor Youth Weekend Programs Available Now
The River Parkway Trust offers weekend program offerings for pre-K through high school-aged youth as well as family-friendly events throughout the year. This month we are offering the Family Friendly Scavenger Hunt, Teen Environmental Leadership Program, and River Buddies Weekend Explorers.

Family Friendly Scavenger Hunt
If your little ones enjoy being outdoors, solving clues, and searching for hidden items, then this is perfect for you. Compete in a scavenger hunt race where you will look for six different tokens hidden at Sycamore Island (located near Children’s Hospital in Madera). All clues are family-friendly, so everyone will be part of the action!  Each $20 registration is for one family group of up to five participants and includes the $9 Sycamore Island day pass; the first group to finish each hunt will win a 2-hour canoe rental (all equipment included, a $30 value). 

Register Now:

Teen Environmental Leadership Program
Calling all high schoolers! Join us at Sycamore Island for a morning of exploring nature, team building activities, and kayaking! This adventure will last approximately 3 hours. The fee is $35 per participant and advanced registration is required.

Register Now:

River Buddies Weekend Explorers
We invite you and your pre-K or K aged explorers to join a Saturday morning adventure learning about fur, feathers, scales, and the creatures that call the San Joaquin River home! This program will run from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and the fee is $12 per child. Advance registration is required.

Register Now:
Family Scavenger Hunt participants enjoy solving clues and searching for hidden items at Sycamore Island.
Sycamore Island is now Open!
Visit the property Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays
Sycamore Island opened early for the 2021 season on Friday, January 8. Thank you to all the visitors who joined us for the opening weekend.

The 600-acre property is currently open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm. Sycamore Island will be open on Monday, January 18 for Martin Luther King Jr Day. The day-use fees are $9 per vehicle and $5 per trailer. Annual passes are available for $85. Snacks, drinks, and bait are available for purchase in the Bait Shop.

The CA Department of Fish and Wildlife stocked the Trout Pond with rainbow trout last week. Construction of improvements including an accessible floating dock and restroom, concrete boat ramp, and a French drain that will support improving water quality in the pond.

We are offering contactless payment for day-use passes. Click here to purchase your pass today. The River Parkway Trust asks that guests practice social distancing and wear a cloth face covering when entering the Bait Shop or when unable to maintain a 6-foot distance from others.
River Camp 2021 News
The River Parkway Trust is happy to announce we will once again run River Camp and Young Explorers this year!

After a safe and successful 2020 season, we are ready to run River Camp 2021 and have taken the time to make further modifications to our activities, daily schedules, and camp traditions to ensure your campers have an amazing experience. Please click here for complete information about River Camp 2021.

Special Program - River Camp Rangers Spring Break Session
Is your 6th-8th grader ready for an amazing experience down by the river? At River Camp Rangers at Owl Hollow youth will learn leadership skills, participate in games that promote peer team building and communication, and complete hands-on science and engineering challenges. Registration for this spring break camp opens on Friday, January 15. Click here to register.

Members-Only Registration for all other River Camp programs will open on February 1. Current members will receive an additional email with early access registration code. Members at the $100 level and up will receive a discount on camp fees. Discount codes will be sent prior to registration opening. If you have any questions about your membership please contact Sarah Parkes, Development Director at 559-248-8480 ext. 107 or via email at sparkes@riverparkway.org.

If you have any questions about the 2021 season of River Camp programs please contact Molly Schnur-Salimbene at 559-248-8480 ext. 104 or via email at mschnur-salimbene@riverparkway.org.
Parties for the Parkway 2021
Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2020 Kickoff Party for the Parkway. As you may recall, we were able to make it under the wire just prior to the statewide stay-at-home order last March.

This year we're transitioning to a virtual Kickoff and a shorter, outdoor-focused Party season, but it still contains big fun! Enjoy a leisurely hike, learn artistic welding, or watch a master trainer start a horse under saddle. Whatever you fancy, we have plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy time with friends while supporting the San Joaquin River Parkway.

The 2021 Parties Book will be available soon. We look forward to sharing the fun events and incredible donated art with you. Tickets for the virtual Kickoff Event will be available beginning Tuesday, February 2, at 9:00 am.

More information about 2021 Parties for the Parkway is available by clicking here. Or you may contact Bryna De Fede, Development Associate at 559-248-8480 ext. 216 or via email at bdefede@riverparkway.org.