George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area ADA Trail Construction

The project involves constructing a 0.75-mile ADA-compliant trail within George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area in Merced County, California, connecting Kelley Road to the Merced River to improve accessibility for visitors with mobility challenges. The scope includes clearing and grading approximately 19,720 cubic feet of soil, excavating and exporting 5,850 cubic feet of earth, and installing a 3,960-foot-long by 5-foot-wide trail with dry-stacked rock edging. Two bridges—spanning 60 feet and 65 feet—are to be constructed with steel stringers and rock abutments, complemented by a 20-foot ground-level boardwalk and a 306-foot elevated wooden boardwalk. Two wooden benches and one interpretive panel will be installed to enhance visitor experience, while approximately 3,100 linear feet of existing barbed wire fence will be removed and replaced with a new 6-foot split-rail fence supported by 390 posts set in 3-foot-deep, 10-inch-diameter holes, with all excavated soil reused on-site. Compliance with ADA accessibility standards is required, and the project has been categorized as exempt under California Environmental Quality Act guidelines as a minor trail realignment with minimal environmental impact. Work will be conducted at the recreation area in zip code 95324, with inspection and acceptance responsibilities held by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Central Valley District. The project was posted as a forecast on January 30, 2026, with no formal contract value, delivery schedule, or pricing details provided. Point of contact is Andrew Collum, Environmental Scientist, and approval authority rests with the state agency under its categorical exemption for this type of public infrastructure improvement.