On June 17, the Pacific Flyway held its groundbreaking where it will bring walking trails, an education center and preserve marshlands. The project sits in 845-acre wetland.
Located in Fairfield in the Suisun Marsh, this project has been in the works for a decade. The project was able to move forward after a provisional permit was granted in February.
According to Veronica Cornett, in July, grading will begin on the project and estimated to be completed by October and in spring they will begin the trails and parking lot.
About the Project:
Pacific Flyway Fund has acquired a rare 845-acre wetland preserve that is a key rest stop on the migratory bird superhighway. It is located on the edge of Suisun Marsh, the largest estuarine marsh in the western United States, and it includes wetlands, upland grasslands and riparian habitats.
Visitors to the Pacific Flyway Center will enjoy an indoor-outdoor, guided or self-guided experience. A “Walk in the Marsh” will take visitors through 124 acres of restored and enhanced wetlands on a mile of gravel trails and 4,500 linear feet of raised boardwalks. The experience will highlight the ecological benefits of this key resting, nesting and feeding ground for thousands of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl, as well as numerous other wetland-dependent species.
The Pacific Flyway Center’s full project vision will consist of three building phases for a total building area of 125,000 square feet.
- Phase 1: To develop a 124-acre Walk in the Marsh and 28,000-square-foot Education Center. These venues will host visitors of all ages and allow each of us to experience the hidden grandeur of the marsh for generations to come.
- Phase 2: Will focus on a smaller “winged-roof” building totaling 23,000 square feet. It will be the main entrance to the Center and expand the visitors’ experience.
- Phase 3: Will focus on the expansive solar “winged-roof” building totaling 74,000 square feet and will expand comprehensive exhibits, classrooms, a large screen theatre, elevated platform areas, catwalks, expanded outdoor areas and amphitheater area.
Photo by Pacific Flyway
Groundbreaking — what they said
Congressman Mike Thompson said he was happy to see this project come closer to fruition after known Ken Hofmann and personally knew his dedication to wetlands and waterfowl.
“He wanted to make sure everyone understood how important wetlands are and wanted to make sure that every kid in California understood it and knew the advantages that we all gain from a good healthy environment and good healthy wetlands where ducks and other waterfowl and other birds like to hang out,” stated Thompson.
He called the groundbreaking “very important” and could not wait for the trails in the wetlands to be completed to allow everyone to see the benefit.
State Senator Bill Dodd said this project was presented to him 8-years ago and called it an amazing amount of work put into this project by Claude Grillo to get private and public funding to make this vision a reality.
Fairfield Mayor Catherine Moy said many people have worked for years on this project.
“It’s a remarkable day for my hometown to commemorate the groundbreaking of the Flyway Center and this momentous occasion signifies the realization of a vision dear to the heart of the late Ken Hofman,” stated Moy. “It is with great pride and joy that we witness this dream become a reality.”
She said with the Flyway Center, Fairfield will make its way to the global stage and a sanctuary for wildlife. She also thanked everyone for making this project a reality.
Kris Corey, Fairfield Suisun School District Superintendent called this another way to expand opportunities for youth with field trips, education and future careers.
“We see this as expansion and growth for our students,” said Corey. “Our students love experienced learning… its about making those life long lasting impressions on our youth and future families for many years to come.”
Campbell Ingram of the San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, called it a great project to get kids out into the area to experience nature and conversation.
Claude Grillo, vice president and board member, said so many people believe in this and provided an overview on how they looked at multiple locations, land swaps and were able to finally get the property to bring the project to reality.
“I couldn’t have done it without everyone here,” said Grillo. “I believe in what we are doing here.”
Here is the concept video from 2018:
About Ken Hofmann:
He was also a San Francisco Bay Area developer, sports teams owner, an avid sportsman and loved the outdoors.
Mr. Hofmann’s passion for waterfowl, wetland and wildlife conservation led him to purchase the famed Rancho Esquon in the Sacramento Valley, now a 10,000-acre rice and almond farm. During ownership, he restored a wetland area to a pristine 900 acres. Mr. Hofmann’s passion for youth education brought a heightened awareness to provide services with no financial barriers to those in need. By donating his beloved Rancho Esquon to the Community Youth Center, its operations provide funding for several youth-oriented charities for the financially disadvantaged. Also, through his Hofmann Family Foundation, he developed and funded many other conservation, education and youth-oriented programs.
Mr. Hofmann’s vision was to create a world-class conservation and education institution that would inspire and educate for generations. Establishing the Pacific Flyway Center in the Suisun Marsh was part of Mr. Hofmann’s desire to do something great “for the planet!”
For more information: www.pacificflywaycenter.org/the-project/