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.

“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.”

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