PREVIOUSLY:

• River Access in Valley West?! With Help From Recent $690K Grant, City of Arcata One Step Closer to Transforming Carlson Park into a Riverfront Destination
• BIG MONTH FOR ARCATA PARKS AND TRAILS: Construction to Begin on Final Leg of Ridge Trail; Shay Park Getting ‘Ninja Warrior’ Fitness Equipment; Large Grant Awarded for Carlson Park Improvements

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Boating! Pickleball! Skating? It’s all coming to one place today, when Arcata’s Carlson Park opens. 

Located off of Valley West, the 19-acre Carlson Park was deeded to Arcata by CalTrans in 2017. Progress was briefly halted by the COVID pandemic, as well as the difficulties in securing $2.4 million in grants to build it. Formerly a gravel quarry, it now boasts new pickleball courts, riverside trails, and a playground. Later additions will include skating features and electric vehicle charging stations. 

Most tantalizing is the access to the Mad River — the only public access within city limits. Non-motorized boating infrastructure was built, as well as a trail system that links to the river. 

“Really, we saw the opportunities for this to be the only parcel in our city limits to touch the Mad River, to provide public access to the Mad River,” Emily Sinkhorn, the Environmental Services Director for Arcata, told the Outpost yesterday. “We also saw it as an opportunity for further expanding recreation amenities within the Valley West neighborhood…We saw the unique potential for Carlson Park, of being right in the neighborhood, with a unique riparian habitat next to the Mad River.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held today at 5:30 p.m.