Fresno Leaders Karbassi, Rep. Costa Secure $2 Million for San Joaquin River

$2,000,000 in federal funding has been secured to support planning, development and improvements along the San Joaquin River in Fresno, Fresno City Council President Mike Karbassi and U.S. Rep. Jim Costa announced in mid‑February 2026. The money is designated for the San Joaquin River Parkway Project and related riverfront work in Fresno.

The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing, and Urban (THUD) appropriations package. On Feb. 5, 2026, Rep. Costa announced passage of the FY2026 THUD legislation, which included nine Community Project Funding awards totaling more than $11.2 million; the $2 million for the San Joaquin River Parkway Project is one of those awards and was identified as a Community Project Funding award.

Officials say the federal dollars will support planning and development for potential projects along the river corridor. Named project targets include River West Fresno and Camp Pashayan improvements, as well as additional riverfront amenities and public access enhancements. The press release and local briefs specify that "these federal funds will extend the Lewis S. Eaton Trail by approximately 2.4 miles, expanding public access to 500 acres of open space along the San Joaquin River."

Programmatic uses spelled out for the funding emphasize accessibility and recreation. The announcement lists multiple ADA-accessible entry points and recreation programming such as school tours, nature walks and paddle trips as intended outcomes of the planning and development work to be supported by the $2 million.

Rep. Costa framed the award in conservation and community terms: "This project reflects our commitment to stewarding the San Joaquin River while enhancing its natural beauty and maintaining the multiple purposes that the river provides," he said, adding, "By investing in these lands, we’re protecting local wildlife, expanding access for our communities, and making sure future generations can experience and take pride in the San Joaquin River." Fresno City Council President Mike Karbassi said, "The San Joaquin River is one of our region’s greatest natural assets," and added, "Thanks to Congressman Costa’s leadership, we can continue building a riverfront that serves families, protects wildlife, and creates new opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors."

Public reaction to the announcement surfaced on social media. A FOX26 Facebook post linking the story registered 8 reactions, 14 comments and 2 shares; comments ranged from skepticism, "Fake" (James Patterson) and "And still no aquarium" (Stanton Lewis), to local access concerns from Craig Campbell, who wrote that a locked gate off Palm and Nees prevents a disabled neighbor from reaching the river and urged simple fixes such as benches and trash cans.

Key details remain unresolved: officials have not released a timeline for planning or construction, no budget breakdown shows how the $2 million would be divided among River West Fresno, Camp Pashayan and the Eaton Trail extension, and no single local implementing agency has been named. The federal award is explicitly described as supporting planning and development; next published steps will be needed to convert that planning into construction, permitting and operations for the expanded river access and trail work.