The City of Oakdale finally opened the highly-anticipated Valley View River Access Trail, commemorating the grand event with Mayor Pat Paul, along with fellow city officials at a ribbon-cutting Monday, Nov. 19.

The river access trail, made possible through a $1.2 million grant received in 2013 from the State of California Natural Resources Agency, California River Parkways Act of 2006 (Proposition 84), includes 750 feet of trail with switchbacks and stairs, interpretive kiosks, water fountain, shaded overlooks, and benches.

The trailhead begins in the Burchell Hill subdivision and a watchdog group has already begun patrols to keep the trails safe, clean and free from undue transient influence.

According to Colleen Andersen, Management Analyst with the Public Services Department, the trail will become part of a larger planned trail system linking existing and proposed trails along the Stanislaus River.

Mayor Paul addressed the assembled crowd, saying with a smile, “You kept the vision … you deserve this, Oakdale.”

With the river access trail, the community now has safe, easy access to one of Oakdale’s most beautiful, scenic wonders coursing right through the heart of the city.

“It’s taken a little longer than we’d hoped but I think you’ll be happy with the results,” Oakdale City Manager Bryan Whitemyer said.