River park to get new raft take-out

NEW TREES PLANTED: About 25 students involved in Future Farmers of America at Anderson Union High School spent a few hours last month making cuttings and planting red willow and cottonwood trees in Volonte Park. With FFA instructor George Wold, students planted over 2,000 cuttings into wet earth. Here, Jessica Newman and Nick Kelley work to drive rebar through rocky terrain to make way for a cutting. Funds for the city project were supplied from portions of three grants, according to Anderson Parks and Recreation Director Ken Hartman.

River enthusiasts with canoes or rafts will have something to look forward to at the Anderson River Park next year. A $240,000 site plan for a concrete canoe and raft take-out with sidewalks and covered picnic area is currently in the works, Parks and Recreation Director Ken Hartman said last month in a telephone interview.

While the river park already features a boat ramp, Hartman said the proposed ramp will help keep motorboats and small craft separated to provide a nicer, safer, more accessible area.

"What it needs is some improvements to make it easier for people to launch their (vessels)," Hartman said.

Thousands of rafters already float down the Sacramento River from Redding to exit at the river park, Hartman said.

The proposed take-out will be located where most of those rafters already leave the river, near the bathrooms across from barbecue area number one, Hartman said, adding that the construction will be compliant with American with Disabilities Act.

As for other improvements at the river park, Hartman arranged for the installation of decorative concrete pylons to cut off vehicle access to the amphitheater's dance floor last week.

People were driving cars onto the dance floor and burning rubber, Hartman said. The city spent a quarter of a million dollars improving the amphitheater, and Hartman said he wants to keep it in good condition.

While vehicles will still be able to access the stage's new loading dock, Hartman said there was no reason for any vehicles to drive on the dance floor.

"The community needs to know it costs money to protect and adjust our facilities," Hartman said.

In its first year, the department spent $4,000 to protect the amphitheater, Hartman said. That cost includes the bollards as well as the installation of skate stops to discourage skate boarders from grinding their boards along the curbs, Hartman said.

Hartman encouraged people in the park to call Anderson Police Department if they see the park getting vandalized in any way.