Woodbridge board balks at providing added public access to wilderness area

Some 30 residents from the Windwood and River Meadows subdivisions strongly protested any plans San Joaquin County may have to expand the Woodbridge Wilderness Area.

A standing room-only crowd filled the Woodbridge Sanitary District board's meeting room Wednesday night, citing safety and other issues regarding the wilderness area.

The sanitary board voted 4-0 to deny public access through its property off Benedict and River Wood drives until county officials provide a detailed plan on safety and other issues, sanitary board President Doug Colucci said. Board member Richard Best was absent.

County officials are exploring the idea of purchasing about 4.5 acres west of the existing wilderness area along the south bank of the Mokelumne River to increase public access to the area.

"We have problems already (in the wilderness area), and there would be more problems," Colucci said. "There are concerns about people going in there. There is nobody there to oversee it on a full-time basis."

The wilderness area has proven to be a fire hazard, most recently on Sept. 7, when a wildfire threatened homes in the Del Rio and River Meadows neighborhoods that back up to the wilderness area.

Other issues cited included partying by teens and young adults, and excessive alcohol consumption, Colucci said.

Upcoming meetings on the Woodbridge Wilderness Area

Woodbridge Municipal Advisory Council: 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at Lodi Elks Lodge, 19071 N. Lower Sacramento Road, Woodbridge.

San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation Commission: 5:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Micke Grove Park, 11793 N. Micke Grove Road, Lodi.

— News-Sentinel staff

"I'd like to know what their plan is to protect the safety of our community," Colucci added.

Colucci says that the Woodbridge Municipal Advisory Council, meeting Oct. 23, should review issues related to the wilderness area. MAC chairman Steve Newman was unavailable for comment Thursday, but he said in late September that the wilderness area would be on the October agenda.

San Joaquin County Supervisor Ken Vogel said he had already asked County Administrator Manuel Lopez to prepare a comprehensive report for the Board of Supervisors on all aspects of the wilderness area — formerly known as Woodbridge Regional Park. Topics will include use of the park, access, fire danger, overgrown foliage and law enforcement.

Vogel said he is hesitant to support the county purchasing the Goldberg property west of the wilderness area without seeing a benefit to the county. And he said he won't support a new entrance through sanitary district property if wilderness area users park on the street in the Windwood neighborhood.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

lodimommie wrote on Oct 13, 2008 12:54 PM:

" It's funny how some people trying to sell their homes that back up to this area proclaim it as a "plus" when listing their homes, oooo, ahhhhh - when in actuality they are hating it.. I am sure they never disclosed all the noise and drinking, etc. on their TDS forms their agent gave them, did they? "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 11, 2008 11:02 PM:

" Why in the world would anyone want a parade of cars driving through their quiet street with intentions to party it up behind the homes? Noise, trash and crowds? No thanks. "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 10, 2008 4:54 PM:

" To commonsense1: If you receive a benefit you must pay for it. Its that simple. What mystery environmentalist would want a fire hazard, by not clearing brush? Your speculation is based on nothing but banter. You have two options: 1) Keep the area open for everyone - this can produce a safety hazard if the brush has not been cleared---so clear the brush. Or 2) Let the area remain as it is, but restrict access. This will have an effect of INCREASING house values. Prospective buyers don't want to buy a house that has an increased fire risk. Also the perceived value is grater if there is less risk. So why give away potential profits to a few? Assess an easement along the parkway which could be in a separate Sanitation assessment district---all legal, or as part of the CCR/HOA in the area with a monthly assessment collected by the HOA and to be used to pay the area assessment for the improved market value of the local houses. The main effect would be on houses adjacent to the government property. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Oct 10, 2008 10:53 AM:

" edumacation.....Your alligator mouth is chewing on your canary ass again. Environmentalist won't allow fire department to clear excess brush from area, creating very dangerous fire hazard. Fire department has closed park before, fearing fireman could be trapped while fighting fire. People drinking and partying in the area is a time bomb waiting to explode. Just averted a major disaster a couple of weeks ago. It took fire departments from Elk Grove to Manteca to keep fire from destroying homes. Can you justify making the wilderness area more accessible or are you just being your loveable self. "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:15 AM:

" This looks like a simple solution? The homeowners just want their own private park. Thats understandable. They don't like to watch homeless, vagrants, and poor folks as though enjoy the wilderness area. I suggest putting their money where their mouth is. If you want it, you must pay for it. Lets offer to lease them access at $100/month. Every house on the frontage area would be assessed this and placed as an addition to the homeowners Association fees. They can afford it. The HOA fees in this area are less than 1/3 the cost of the HOA fees in the Rivergate area. "

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