Sonora, Calif. (April 28, 2010)…Stanislaus Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski today announced that the Donnell Vista will be closed for the 2010 recreation season  and several other recreation sites will experience temporary closures because of construction activities that will occur starting in April and extending through September 2010.

The work is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The Forest has received $2,208,000 to build and repair trails for the disabled; $295,000 to reconstruct rugged wilderness trails and; $915,000 to retire deferred maintenance at several camp-grounds and day use areas. A complete list of projects can be viewed on the Forest’s web site.

 “We’re very excited to have the opportunity to do much needed improvements to these popular sites. We anticipate that 176 jobs will be created through ARRA funding as we move forward to complete work on selected Stanislaus NF projects,” said Skalski.

The Donnell Vista is a popular recreation site located on Highway 108 approximately 45 miles east of Sonora, California. The site provides outstanding views of the Dardanelles Cones, Donnells Reservoir and the Middle Fork Stanislaus River.

Improvements include re-paving the existing trail and construction of a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible trail from the parking lot to the observation platform. This work finishes ADA improvements started in 2004, making the site fully accessible to persons with disabilities.

For more information on the Donnell Vista site call the Summit Ranger District at (209) 965-3434 or visit us on the Internet at: www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus.