On April 10, the Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District, working in partnership with the Land Trust of Napa County, announced that it has finalized the acquisition of 523 acres of property adjacent to Moore Creek Park. The acquisition will expand the total size of the popular park to over 2,100 acres, connect its trail system to the Pacific Union College Demonstration Forest, and complete a corridor of more than 9,000 acres of permanently protected lands along the eastern ridgeline of the Napa Valley.
“We’re thrilled to complete this project and increase the size of Moore Creek Park, protecting even more habitat in an important ecological area,” says Chris Cahill, General Manager of the Napa Open Space District, “and we’re looking forward to helping even more residents and visitors get outside to enjoy and experience this amazing part of our county.”
In recent years, the Napa Open Space District, Land Trust of Napa County, and other partners have been making progress in securing protection along the east ridge of the Napa Valley.
“The Land Trust is very pleased to work with the Napa Open Space District and Dave Phinney to protect this strategic property,” said Doug Parker, CEO of the Land Trust. “This is the final property needed to protect the entire length of Moore Creek and at the same time create a protected corridor for wildlife from Lake Hennessey to the PUC forest in Angwin.”
The newly acquired property connects Moore Creek Park’s 25 mile trail network to the 35 mile Pacific Union College Demonstration Forest network, and allows for 4 new miles of dedicated multiuse Bay Area Ridge Trail. These trail connections represent the final step in a long-term effort to secure a recreational trail between Moore Creek Park and Angwin that dates back to the Napa Crest Trail plan of the 1970s.
Nature lovers and recreational park users have been able to access portions of this new addition for the past several years on the Dan’s Wild Ride Trail, which follows an easement that was generously donated by the previous owners, the Phinney family. The Phinneys decided to sell the entire property to the District in order to protect it as natural open space in perpetuity.
“My wife and I are proud and honored to be a part of protecting Moore Creek and the surrounding acreage for generations to come, ” says Dave Phinney.
Grant funding for this project was awarded by the State Coastal Conservancy and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, totaling $1.7 million. The Napa Open Space District operates without a dedicated funding source and has worked hard to develop a reputation as a worthy grantee capable of executing large acquisition and development projects.
“Conserving land that connects habitats, supports healthy creeks and forests, improves climate resilience, and expands public access to nature is a top priority for the State of California.” said State Coastal Conservancy Executive Officer Amy Hutzel. “The Coastal Conservancy is excited about the many benefits this land acquisition will bring to the people and wildlife of Napa County and everyone who visits this spectacular park.”
To access the Dan’s Wild Ride Trail and visit this property, see www.napaoutdoors.org for directions and parking information for Moore Creek Park and the PUC Forest, or contact the District at info@napaoutdoors.org.
Read the Napa Register story here.
