In a decisive land conservation effort, Napa County is poised to secure the future of the 874-acre Skyline Wilderness Park by purchasing the prized tract from the state of California, as announced by Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, and the Napa County Board of Supervisors. The scenic property, a beloved destination for outdoor enthusiasts, comes with a price tag of $7.26 million and is expected to remain a staple of recreation and natural beauty in the region.
The deal, years in the making and fueled by local advocacy and legislative efforts led by Sen. Dodd, is not just about expanding local green spaces; it symbolizes a hard-fought win for community access to open lands and trails, campsites, and a native plant garden, going beyond that Napa County has been leasing and stewards the property since 1980 for a nominal $100 per year, an agreement scheduled to terminate in 2030 at which point, without the purchase, state could potentially re-purpose the land.
Sen. Dodd’s legislative maneuvers in 2019 were pivotal as they paved the pathway for this sale. According to Senator Bill Dodd’s Office, Skyline Wilderness Park will remain designated parkland for perpetuity. The Board of Supervisors’ unanimous declaration of intent to acquire the land, with the final approval slated for December 17, adds another layer of local control and protection for the park’s future…