Outdoor Access at Fresno BHC

Joy, Health, and Green Space for #OneHealthyFresno

Outdoor Access

We promote outdoor access and recreation for everyone. We recognize the importance of joy and overall well-being, and the fundamental role parks, trails, and green spaces play in creating healthy, vibrant communities.

Fresno family taking a selfie by the San Joaquin River during Fresno BHC’s #River4All environmental education event

Why Outdoor Access Matters in Fresno

Local park access and quality have historically lagged behind peer cities. In the most recent Parks Report, Fresno ranked 98 out of 100 for its local parks. Community action (and accountability) are how we change that.

Here are a few ways we work to expand outdoor access to all Fresno residents:

  • Community-led design: Residents shape projects from vision to ribbon-cutting, because the people closest to the park have the best understanding of what it needs.
  • Rivers, trails, and habitat: we connect families to the San Joaquin River and multi- use trails that support health, culture, and climate resistance.
  • Year-round activation: Programs and events that make the outdoors welcoming and safe for youth, seniors, and everyone in between.
Calwa Park Renovation Groundbreaking. Calwa Park. Fresno BHC youth and residents walking together along the San Joaquin River trail to promote environmental justice and oppose the CEMEX Quarry Expansion. A wide angle of a complex playground structure featuring two large, upright wooden rings framing a blue rope spiderweb climbing net. Connected to the rings are curved metal bars, a rope hammock, and sloped wooden platforms. The equipment sits on concrete amidst the unfinished dirt landscaping of the park.” loading= Fresno BHC youth and community members observing the San Joaquin River landscape during the CEMEX Quarry Expansion awareness walk.” loading= A perspective shot of the park's new playground area showing the angled blue and teal climbing walls on the left and the tall wooden play tower in the center. In the foreground, newly planted saplings supported by wooden stakes sit inside curved concrete planter walls filled with dirt.” loading= Fresno BHC youth and mentors walking together along the San Joaquin River trail during an environmental justice field activity.” loading= Calwa Park Renovation Groundbreaking. Calwa Park. Fresno BHC youth and residents walking together along the San Joaquin River trail to promote environmental justice and oppose the CEMEX Quarry Expansion. A wide angle of a complex playground structure featuring two large, upright wooden rings framing a blue rope spiderweb climbing net. Connected to the rings are curved metal bars, a rope hammock, and sloped wooden platforms. The equipment sits on concrete amidst the unfinished dirt landscaping of the park.” loading= Fresno BHC youth and community members observing the San Joaquin River landscape during the CEMEX Quarry Expansion awareness walk.” loading= A perspective shot of the park's new playground area showing the angled blue and teal climbing walls on the left and the tall wooden play tower in the center. In the foreground, newly planted saplings supported by wooden stakes sit inside curved concrete planter walls filled with dirt.” loading= Fresno BHC youth and mentors walking together along the San Joaquin River trail during an environmental justice field activity.” loading=

Signature Efforts

Calwa Park Renovation: We’re leading a $6.6 million renovation of one of Southeast Fresno’s most beloved parks so thousands of families can enjoy safer play areas, new amenities, and year-round programming. Funding comes through California’s Prop 68.

Western Reaches Access Activation Plan (WRAAP): We are helping unlock the San Joaquin River as a public destination, expanding culturally relevant access, recreation, and habitat along key stretches of the river parkway, in partnership with the San Joaquin River Conservancy.

Measure P: We co-authored and helped pass Measure P and continue advocacy and litigation to ensure its full implementation. We strive to make trails, parks, arts, and green space accessible to every neighborhood in Fresno.

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Fresno Building Healthy Communities welcomes media inquiries and opportunities. If you’re a member of the media developing a story about Fresno Building Healthy Communities or a campaign, please contact us using our Contact Us form.

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  • PO Box 7694
    Fresno CA 93747

  • (559) 256-8722

  • marketing@fresnobhc.org

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  • 367 N First St
    Fresno CA 93702

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