April 2026 In this edition: ********************* Patterson Point accessible again! Boat Anchorage Launch 2026 Earth Day: Villa Grande Community Clean Up 4/25/26 Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council - MAC |
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Restoring Access: The Great Gravel Move The winter storms were rough on the preserve! Downed trees blocked the paths and washed away much of the beach, creating a 2 foot cliff at the end of the path to the gravel beach. This drop-off was dangerous, and would have prohibited many from enjoying the beach. At the end of March we ordered four cubic yards of gravel to help re-establish the slope to the beach. Member Luke Hamilton’s Bobcat was too wide to fit though our driftwood entry “sentries” so we rented a 44" wide skid-steerer to carry the gravel down the trail. Guided by Rich Holmer & Roberto Esteves, Luke’s cousin, Cody Turnbull, operated the equipment like an earth surgeon and created smooth access to the beach again.
Volunteers Chris O’Sullivan, his son Sean, PPP Steward, Kaya Halpern and her friends, Phil Eukel, Matt Drury & Rich Holmer helped install the various seasonal signs, fill four green cans with debris, and lay down the chain for this year’s Boat Anchorage. |
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Boat Anchorage Launches for 2026
Friends of Villa Grande members may anchor one boat (canoe, kayak, paddle board, etc.) on the FoVG chain from Saturday, May 2 until Sunday October 11, 2026. Cost is $150 and owners must use their own lock to secure watercraft to the heavy chain. To sign up (members only). For more information contact Matt Drury: drurymatthewp@gmail.com
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EARTH DAY: Villa Grande Community Clean Up April 25
The fourth annual Earth Day Villa Grande Community Clean-up will be Saturday, April 25. Volunteers (kids and adults) will rake, weed and mow various Villa Grande open spaces, including the Town Square Park, the Patterson Point parking areas on 4th and Russian River Ave, the Firehouse Plaza and, of course, Patterson Point itself. Gather at the VG General Store at 9:45am. Juice, coffee, tea and bagels will be served before work starts. Please bring your own bottles! Water will be available for refills. Volunteers will be rewarded with refreshments to be served inside the General Store starting at 11:30am. Sign up here. (feel free to bring neighbors and friends). Remember to bring gloves, rakes and any other tools you’d like to use.
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There will be a special meeting of the Lower Russian River Advisory Council (MAC) on April 18th from 1:00-4:00pm. This special meeting convenes districts from Cazadero, Gold Ridge Fire, Graton, Monte Rio and Sweetwater Springs so that they can present regional overviews about the districts, share updates, and discuss common challenges and trends. It will be held at the Monte Rio Community Center. |
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