The Napa River is walking distance from American Canyon's newest subdivisions, but residents of the area and other members of the public have no access to the river as it heads south on the stretch run toward Mare Island and the bay.

That may soon change.

While American Canyon and Napa County officials have been at odds over several issues, the city and the new Napa County Parks and Open Space District have collaborated on plans for an 8.5-mile river trail between American Canyon and Napa.

The trail is among a dozen projects the Napa County Parks and Open Space District has undertaken during its first year in business. The district, which operates on a $350,000 budget, was formed after voters approved Measure I in November 2006 with the goal of opening more than 100,000 acres of public land to hikers and other users.

American Canyon contributed about $9,400 to expand the study of the 8.5-mile long path, which will travel along former salt ponds that the California Department of Fish and Game wants to restore into wetlands. The trail will form a segment of the San Francisco Bay Trail, a network of trails that ring the region from San Francisco's Ocean Beach to the oak-studded East Bay hills.

The first section of the trail between Napa and American Canyon may be constructed this summer, if the parks district receives a $1.3 million state grant, said John Woodbury, the district's general manager. The city will use an $800,000 transportation grant to contribute to the project.

"John Woodbury is doing a great job," said Randy Davis, community services director for the city of American Canyon. "We've got a lot of work (done) with very little money."

Construction of the entire 8.5 mile-long trail, estimated to cost $11 million, could take place in 2010, though that may depend on negotiations between the district and a half-dozen agencies that own property the trail is expected to cross.

One year of open space

As the Open Space District hits its first annual milestone, it has other projects in the works.

Five miles from Napa, the district wants to reopen rugged areas around Milliken Reservoir to the public.

An old network of trails near the reservoir was used by students and others until state cutbacks hit after Proposition 13, according to the district. The old network would have to be rebuilt and new trails created, Woodbury said. He's also exploring the possibility of having RV travelers willing to donate 15 to 20 hours a week to serve as caretakers in exchange for being able to use the area.

Upvalley, near Calistoga, the district plans to do erosion repairs and put direction signs at Oat Hill Mine Trail, a historic road popular with hikers and bikers.

Near Lake Berryessa, Napa County recently used about $120,000 in Prop. 12 funds to buy a 224-acre former scouting camp from the Land Trust of Napa County. The district hopes to have an educational camp in operation in 18 months.

Other future Napa County Parks and Open Space District grant-funded projects include:

* Opening public trails at Lake Hennessey

* Creating a new loop trail on 320 acres now owned by the Bureau of Land Management near Lake Berryessa

* Restoring a meadow on land Fish and Game owns along the Napa River

* Opening public access to wetlands south of Napa

The district also hopes to complete the ever-elusive acquisition of Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last year vetoed a bill that would have given the county preference in acquiring the 850-acre east Napa property from the state and preserving it as a park.

The Napa County Parks and Open Space District's five members of the board of directors are up for re-election at the end of this year under state law guiding new districts, Woodbury said. Three wards will be elected for four years, and two for two years, in order to have the terms staggered.

The Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District's first anniversary celebration will be Jan. 28 between 5:30 and 7 p.m. at The Napa River Inn, 500 Main St. Reservations are required. For information, call 226-9634 or e-mail myrna@napanet.net.