MODESTO – The hulking glass windows of the Gallo Center for the Arts loom in the background.
Cars whizz by as patrons shuffle into and out of restaurants and bars, county buildings and corporate offices.
And if you’re lucky, you can catch Dellanora Green performing one of the songs that have made her a staple in the city that gave birth to American Graffiti – belting out tunes just around the corner from the iconic loop that inspired George Lucas to make a film that will forever rest in the annals of America’s collective conscious.
Yes, Modesto may be the land of strip malls and the model of urbanization – a collection of sprawling housing tracts stacked on tops of businesses and dissected by a series of thoroughfares that were never intended to handle the number of people that have made the hub of Stanislaus County home.
But at the heart of it, when you’re willing to park your car and get out and walk the streets of the city that was aptly named for “modesty” instead of the wealthy founder of the Bank of California, there are plenty of wonderful things to discover.
And there’s more in common with Manteca than you may think.
One of Modesto’s crown jewels, tucked away amongst one of the city’s oldest and most charming neighborhoods, is a walking section known as the “Virginia Corridor.” Most people only know of it as an overpass that they see on their way from the mall down town McHenry Avenue and occasionally they’ll spot people walking or jogging on it.
But there’s more to it than you may think:
• The Virginia Corridor: Stretching 4.2-miles long from Needham Avenue to Bangs Avenue, this quaint and unique path runs along the abandoned Tidewater Southern Railway Line. While the City of Manteca used general funds to renovate what was once a blighted eyesore for the community, Modesto relied on grants, private businesses and local families to come up with the money to turn the route into a major community asset. A series of picnic tables, benches, barbecues and gardens make it a destination, and a group – Friends of the Virginia Corridor – raises money to ensure its upkeep. An extension of the popular path that has been completed has been closed while city workers and construction crews figure out a way to fix a slope that exceeds the accepted 2-percent grade for the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. It remains fenced off.
• Dry Creek Regional Park – It’s almost hard to believe that this hidden gem in the corner of Northeast Modesto is just outside of one of the more populated areas of town. Running and biking trails, walking paths and dog-walking areas abound near oak groves and rural beauty. Those with a penchant for excitement can find a mountain bike trail or two down by the water, and a Frisbee golf course exists for those who appreciate the sport during the daytime. What was once considered to be a high-crime area has become one of the more popular destinations for people looking for an outdoor destination, and nearby residents have taken a liking to both the natural beauty and the rugged nature that the park provides. It’s like traveling up to the foothills without the drive, and the many, many acres of exploring – combined with the miles of paved trails – provide an endless opportunity for those searching for something new to discover.
• Modesto’s Irrigation Canal Banks – All throughout the city the Modesto Irrigation District has canals that flow during the summer months to distribute water to agricultural areas that were at one time isolated. These sections can be seen along Briggsmore Avenue where they separate the street, and flow on a gravity system. But they also go out towards places like Riverbank, and if you know the route, it can be a wonderful walk through portions of the community you don’t ever get to see. But it’s important to do it safely. Canals can be extremely deadly because of the speed at which the water flows – what seems calm on the top can be moving much swifter below the surface – and steep banks can make it impossible to get out once caught inside. Grates intended to stop flows or catch debris can also catch somebody trapped in the water and pin them against the current. Those walking dogs and jogging are encouraged to stay away from the banks, and those riding bikes are encouraged to do so during daylight hours so they can see divots and ruts that can suddenly divert the course of the bike and possibly send them towards the canal. While the walk might be peaceful, beautiful and serene, it needs to be appreciated for what it is.
To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544