There's a new group in town and it needs a lot of space -- open space, that is. The group, Friends of American Canyon Open Spaces, is in the formation stage. It's an informal public/private partnership with people from city government and the community coming together to protect open lands in and around American Canyon.

Richard Thein, the unofficial spokesman of the group, said the idea came from City Manager Mark Joseph.

"He'd been wanting to have a citizens group for a long time to help guide the way S with the open space parks and to find out what we wanted to have out there," Thein said.

Thein and his wife Lissette have already shown dedication to the area's agricultural past by creating and for a long time leading the local 4-H Club chapter.

So far, Friends has seen involvement from a notable list of volunteers and city officials, including Parks and Community Services Commissioner Mathew Plate, Community Services Director Randy Davis and Marci Harris and Nicole Shores, who are interested in equestrian activities.

Thein said the ball really got rolling when Barry Christian came in with his "boundless energy."

Christian has become a familiar sight at city council meetings with his ideas related to the Napa River.

"He wanted to get better access to the Napa River in order to go out and to go kayaking there," said Thein. "Once he came along, everything gelled together."

Thein said the group, though loosely structured, has specific objectives in mind.

"We're looking at the open spaces that we have and how best to use them," Thein said. "And how best to educate people about them and what kind of amenities we want on them."

The group has focused on, but not limited itself to, three main areas: Clark Ranch on the northwest side of town, the Newell Open Space Preserve on the east, and the Napa River, including its wetlands.

The aforementioned areas all have special challenges and there are group members knowledgeable about each of them.

Newell Open Space

Jack and Bernice Newell donated 600-plus acres to the city nearly a decade ago. Though not within the city limits, the land is representative of the rolling oak hills of the region and is a key buffer between American Canyon and neighboring areas. The challenge has been what to do with the land that was formerly used for grazing cattle.

American Canyon Fire Chief Keith Caldwell is involved with the new group and is knowledgeable about the Newell space.

"The fire chief has given us information that we need to know about the Newell area," Thein said. "Some of the regulations and stuff that they're working with concerning how they handle the cattle troughs out there. Before you could just let cattle roam around."

That was before the area was identified as a habitat for the endangered red-legged frog.

Now, Thein said, "We have to build separate cattle troughs and fence off places where cattle can't go,"

There's a more basic problem with the property from the public's perspective. How do you get there?

"We're looking at different ways to access the property," Thein said. "Now it's across the railroad tracks and that doesn't seem to be working very well."

It's not just a matter of crossing one set of tracks. There are several tracks there, used for switching train cars.

Napa River

The Napa River has its own access problems. The part of the river that flows near American Canyon is impossible to get to without driving out of town.

"Access for the river is something that people around here are really wanting," Thein said.

Of course the Napa River comes with something else: The wetlands.

"The wetlands I'm really hyped up about," Thein said. "The wetlands is turning out to be a really nice place as nature starts to take it back, we're starting to see a lot more wildlife that hasn't been there in the last 50 years."

Clark Ranch

Clark Ranch became city property with the purchase of the wetlands, though it is not actually part of them. The city bought the land with a $3.2 million CalFed grant, roughly half of which goes to the cost of bringing the property back to a state resembling what it was like 100 years ago.

The Theins were the key parties involved in getting use of that property for the 4-H Club. There's also been talk about using the ranch for equestrian activities.

"The way the purchase was written, we're held to rules and regulations about how many animals can be on that property," Thein said. "It's a matter of how can we do this and how can we make it work."

There are other challenges involved with the ranch.

"There's also a concern about how much money there is to clean up Clark Ranch," Thein noted. "Chief Caldwell has been working real hard at getting prison crews out there to help. And they've been doing real well. They've done a heck of a job." There are some dilapidated buildings on that property that could present a nuisance as well.

Thein said they want to get the community involved.

"We're reaching out and saying why don't you come down, to see what you have in the community and add your two cents worth."

The group meets at the Recreation Hall, 2185 Elliott Drive on the second Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m.

Additionally, a fun day is planned for April 24, weather permitting.

"We're tentatively planning on having a work day/barbecue day," Thein said. "That's national hiking day. We want to get people out to see Newell property and be able to walk around on it and get a little bit done while we're at it."

Thein said the group will take a more formal direction as soon as it gets more membership so the community is truly represented.

"We haven't applied for any tax-exempt status at this point, but that will be in the future. Now we're basically (advocates)."

Thein said the group is coming together and he hopes it can pick up some steam.

"I think we got some real good people," he said. "It's just a matter of trying to get the other citizens out to see what they can do."