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Fresno reimagines its riverfront for tourism and recreation transformation (3 stories)

Stories by Fresno Bee journalists, with AI summarization

Fresno plans to transform its riverfront by following successful models like Bakersfield and Sacramento. All articles share a vision of boosting tourism and recreation through parkways. Fresno hopes to develop trails, festivals, and economic activities along the San Joaquin River, much like the Kern River Parkway in Bakersfield with its bike trail.

One article emphasizes the music festivals and food events as ways to attract visitors, similar to Sacramento's American River Parkway. Another discusses potential for a new river walk concept, inspired by entrepreneurial developments along water bodies, akin to the San Antonio River Walk. The last article provides insights into public access points like Friant Cove, which could facilitate local engagement with the river.

The San Joaquin River flows along the Jensen River Ranch area that is part of the San Joaquin River Conservancy just to the north of Fresno’s Woodward Park in this drone image taken on Wednesday, April 20, 2025. By CRAIG KOHLRUSS

NO. 1: FRESNO HASN’T TAPPED SAN JOAQUIN RIVER’S POTENTIAL. COULD IT BE CITY’S MAIN DRAW?

The river could be more of a catalyst for innovative economic development as an attraction for people, businesses and events. | Published May 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Erik Galicia

Kids twirl on rope swings on the American River at Discovery Park in 2004. The swings are banned on the parkway and rangers will issue citations for their installation. By Anne Chadwick Williams

NO. 2: MUSIC FESTIVALS, LONG TRAILS, FOOD: HOW FRESNO COULD ENERGIZE ITS RIVERFRONT

Fresno leaders can look to Bakersfield and Sacramento for popular attractions as they consider future access to the San Joaquin River. | Published June 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Erik Galicia

A pair of dobermans cool off in the San Joaquin River on a warm day just to the north of Woodward Park in Fresno on Wednesday, April 20, 2025. By CRAIG KOHLRUSS

NO. 3: THESE MAPS SHOW WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY PUBLIC ACCESS TO SAN JOAQUIN RIVER IN FRESNO

Many of the publicly-owned properties along the San Joaquin River are closed, but there are a number of places where you can legally enjoy the water. | Published July 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Erik Galicia

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.