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We are happy to share that the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy has awarded $2.17 million for the acquisition of a 22-acre property along the Calaveras River in Stockton. The public will have access to the land, which will feature facilities for ADA-accessible rowing and paddling water sports, farming of pesticide-free fruits and vegetables, walking/jogging trails, tree canopy, and environmental education.
After the unanimous vote, Dr. Pat Tirone, Delta Sculling Center’s Executive Director, said how grateful she was to the DC Board: “Thank you—on behalf of our entire team—for making this moment possible. Your belief in the power of nature—and the importance of access to it—has made something extraordinary possible. Because of this grant, we’ll be able to welcome so many more people to a place of quiet beauty that has remained hidden to much of our community. This dream is now becoming real, a lasting place on the Delta where healing and connection can flourish.
“People describe the peace they find here in powerful ways. One of our scullers said, ‘Because I have ADHD, my mind feels like a radio, constantly changing channels. But on the water, the volume comes down. It creates space… for the sound of birds, and the gentle lap of water. Finally… I am at peace.’
“This grant is about more than land—it’s about healing, freedom, and the moment someone with a disability leaves their wheelchair behind and glides across the water under their own power. Thank you for believing in this vision.”
Next steps include three upcoming community engagement opportunities this summer, so stay tuned!
Read Delta Conservancy’s press release here:
Delta Conservancy Board Approves Funding for Stockton Delta Waterway Preservation Project
Funding for Land Acquisition will Support Public Access to Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Waterway
May 29, 2025
WEST SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Board on Wednesday approved funding for a land acquisition project to transform 22 acres in Stockton into a new publicly accessible green space along the Delta waterway.
The Board voted unanimously to approve up to $2.17 million in grant funding to the San Joaquin Community Foundation, the fiscal sponsor of the community-led initiative, to support the acquisition of privately owned land near the confluence of the San Joaquin and Calaveras rivers.
Once acquired, the land will be preserved as public green space, unlocking new opportunities for public access with new walking and biking trails, tree canopy, and facilities for rowing, paddleboarding, and other human-powered water activities. The initiative also seeks to establish the property as a place for regenerative farming of fruits and vegetables and for youth to experience environmental education and outdoor activities.
“Our region is profoundly grateful to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy for supporting this community-led project that will transform these underutilized 22 acres into beautiful green space for the community to enjoy,” said Michael Duffy, Chief Executive Officer for the San Joaquin Community Foundation.
The project emerged from the vision of Dr. Patricia Tirone and Dr. Robert Oprandy, who co-founded the nonprofit organization Delta Sculling Center in Stockton. Their vision has been to bring an aquatic center to Stockton to provide greater public access to rowing and paddling sports. In 2021, Drs. Tirone and Oprandy established the Delta Aquatic Center of Stockton as a fiscally sponsored project working under the umbrella of the San Joaquin Community Foundation. The Delta Conservancy previously awarded $2.5 million in grant funding for the planning and design phase of the aquatic center building.
Courtesy San Joaquin Community Foundation
“This moment represents a long-held dream shared by our team at Delta Sculling Center, our athletes, and our supporters to create a place where the community can access rowing, other water sports and outdoor recreation, accessible to all, no matter their financial circumstances,” said Dr. Tirone.
“This project will positively impact the community and the entire region for generations to come. We have forward-thinking nonprofit partners and community leaders supporting this ambitious endeavor, and we owe tremendous gratitude to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy for believing in this dream,” said Dr. Oprandy.
The project has received support from the City of Stockton; the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors; the San Joaquin County Office of Education; Delta Sculling Center; Black Urban Farmers Association; Restore the Delta; Trust for Public Land; National Park Service-Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA); and other local organizations and community leaders.
“This project is fueled by a passionate group of leaders and visionaries,” said Reatha Hardy-Jordan, co-founder and Executive Director of the Black Urban Farmers Association. “I am excited about the potential for our organization to be the farmers in this project – bringing fresh, pesticide-free, locally grown fruits and vegetables to underserved communities. It’s a powerful alignment of land stewardship, healthy food, and outdoor recreation.”
