Big Fresno Community Cooling Corridor Project

The 21st District Agricultural Association / Big Fresno Fair proposes to construct the Big Fresno Community Cooling Corridor at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds. The Project consists of nature-based cooling and communityserving improvements within the existing developed footprint of the fairgrounds, including expanded tree canopy through the planting of native and drought-tolerant shade trees; shade structures and shade sails over existing pedestrian gathering and circulation areas; hydration stations, misters, and passive cooling elements along the existing pedestrian network; green stormwater and low-impact landscape improvements; and interpretive signage, wayfinding, and cultural/educational elements developed in consultation with local California Native American tribes. Purpose: reduce extreme-heat vulnerability at the fairgrounds, expand tree canopy in a disadvantaged and climate-vulnerable community, and strengthen the fairgrounds' capacity to serve as a public gathering venue and emergency response and resiliency hub. The Project is sited within the existing developed footprint of the fairgrounds and does not expand the operational envelope of the facility. Beneficiaries: residents of the City of Fresno and Fresno County (including populations identified as vulnerable to extreme-heat and other climate hazards under CalEnviroScreen and Healthy Places Index screens for the census tracts encompassing the fairgrounds); approximately 500,000 annual Big Fresno Fair visitors plus year-round fairground event attendees; local California Native American tribes participating in the Project's cultural and educational elements; and first responders and displaced residents using the fairgrounds as an emergency response and resiliency site during wildfire smoke, extreme-heat, flood, and other declared events.