2007-04-23 18:47:15 -
SAN DIEGO, April 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The San Diego River will be the spotlight for this fourth annual celebration. San Diego River Days is organized by The San Diego River Park Foundation (SDRPF), and will kick-off on Saturday, May 19 at 8:30AM at Dog Beach in Ocean Beach.
"With all the significant improvements underway along the River, we are thrilled to invite the community to join us in celebrating our region's namesake river and experience everything it has to offer," said Rob Hutsel, Executive Director of SDRPF.
This family-friendly event,
which will feature 35 activities spanning from the mountains to the ocean, will offer an incredible variety of opportunities. River Days participants can look forward to nature walks, mountain hikes, bike rides, community clean-ups, history walks, a community picnic, an all-day opportunity to explore the nearly 6000 acre Mission Trails Regional Park and much more.
Events range from fishing lessons at Lake Cuyamaca and a 5k fun walk / run in Lakeside to a nature walk in Santee and a craft fair in Tierrasanta and even artists painting along the River's gorgeous 3-mile long estuary.
On Sunday, May 20th, a special event will take place at 9AM with elected officials, community leaders and others, at the River's mouth to take a "Clean River" pledge.
"This event will kick-off a year-long effort to engage the public in volunteerism by getting people to pledge at least one day of service to help care for and keep the river clean. A goal has been set of 20,000 hours of service. For so many years this River has provided life to our community; now it is our turn to help sustain this vital natural and cultural resource," said Rob Hutsel. "River Days has become the largest event of its kind in San Diego County and possibly even Southern California."
San Diego River Days is made possible by the generous support of Sudberry Properties, San Diego River Conservancy, SDG&E, City of San Diego's Think Blue, Sontek-YSI, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Superior Ready Mix Concrete, LiveGreen, Jones & Stokes, and the many organizations and volunteers participating.
"Sudberry Properties believes in partnering with communities, and it is pleased to be actively involved in the creation of the San Diego River Park," said Tom Sudberry, President, Sudberry Properties. "San Diego River Days serves as a catalyst that will draw people from across San Diego County to rediscover the River and to learn about the exciting opportunities presented by the River Park."
A partnership has been established with the State of California's San Diego River Conservancy to bring the dream of a River Park and a healthy river system to reality. The River Conservancy is governed by a board of local and state officials that is chaired by San Diego Council Member Donna Frye, a long-time champion of the river.
According to Mike Nelson, Executive Officer of the San Diego River Conservancy, "San Diego River Days represents a marvelous opportunity for citizens to enjoy and experience the River as it is today, celebrate its remarkable past, and pledge themselves to ensuring that this natural treasure has a cleaner and healthier future."
San Diego River Park Foundation
The San Diego River Park Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 public benefit organization formed in 2001 to raised awareness about the San Diego River and to create and implement a community-based vision for the River Park, including engaging the public in caring for the parks, trails, green spaces and people places that will be part of it. The San Diego River Park Foundation is funded by private and public grants as well as donations.
In just five years, SDRPF has helped organize more than 60 non-governmental organizations to advance plans to establish a 52-mile long park system along the San Diego River. SDRPF is a non-profit community based organization which is dedicated to creating the River Park and to promoting civic engagement in the stewardship of the River and its incredible natural and cultural resources.
Clean River Pledge
To take the Clean River Pledge, go to http://www.sandiegoriver.org/ and sign-up to receive monthly notices about volunteer opportunities. Each month, the total number of hours will be posted on the web site to update the community on progress toward the pledge.
River Days Event Program
Event programs will be mailed to 85,000 residents and businesses near the River and be available at an information display at EarthFair in Balboa Park on April 22nd. Information is also available at http://www.sandiegoriver.org/
Source: San Diego River Park Foundation
