A SHARED VISION

Each year it’s the perfect chance to see first hand what’s going well in our area.

The Eastern Madera County (EMC) Foundation on Aug. 20 took local stakeholders on its annual “Trolley Tour” of interesting and important stops in Oakhurst, Coarsegold and North Fork.

The nonprofit foundation is a project-based organization with a mission to unite the mountain communities of Eastern Madera County and to enhance community programs and infrastructure, preserve historical and cultural assets and support commerce for the betterment of the communities and tourism.

Led by the foundation’s new nonprofit manager Angeline DeHart, the tour included Outbound Yosemite, Oakhurst Community Center and Sierra Senior Center in Oakhurst, Coarsegold Museum in Coarsegold and the North Fork Library, Old Mill Site and North Fork Community Power biomass plant.

Manager DeHart is also the co-owner with husband Nick of Karine Wines. Foundation president and Visit Yosemite Madera County CEO Rhonda Salisbury was unable to attend last minute.

“Our Trolley Tour offered a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand the progress being made across our communities and to hear from the people who are helping bring these projects to life,” said DeHart.

“From hospitality and community facilities to historic preservation, accessibility, beautification and economic development, each stop highlighted the impact of thoughtful investment and strong community partnerships.”

On board the trolley driven by Bill Jennings were DeHart, Madera County Supervisor Bobby Macaulay, Madera County EDC’s Kristina Gallagher and Elena Estrada, Cris Com’s Chuck Jagoian and Emily Engelsgaard, EMC Foundation board members Laura Young, Bob Spinelli and David Nemeth, Oakhurst Chamber board member Brian Gearhart, Amy Duke representing Melanie Barker for Supervisor and the Gazette’s Kellie Flanagan.

First stop was Outbound Yosemite, the new 17-acre outdoor inspired resort under construction on the north end of Oakhurst near the Hounds Tooth Inn. Both properties are being developed by Chicago-based real estate investment and property management firm Waterton.

Mayra Garcia, Outbound hotel supervisor, said the property is set to open next June. She led the group with Fred Cooper, director of engineering.

With 114 total guest rooms and flexible indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, a pool and spa, groups can stay together on campus while remaining connected to town amenities and lodging.

Juniper Restaurant and Terrace in the Lodge will be open to the public and for events with a culinary focus on wood-fired artisanal pizzas, seasonal shareable plates, craft cocktails and local mountain-inspired menus with grab-and-go options.

Outbound officials said the Sequoia Hall and Balcony in the Lodge will offer a versatile configuration with potential for theater, classroom, banquets/rounds and reception layouts.

Fourteen modern guestrooms including ADA Accessible rooms in the Lodge will provide immediate access to meeting space, dining and main lodge.

The property will ultimately feature some 100 standalone private cabins with diverse layouts and features including private outdoor porches, independent entrances and scenic views.

“It was exciting to see the vision taking shape and we can’t wait to return to see the finishing touches on the interiors and landscaping,” said DeHart.

“This project promises to be a wonderful addition to the area, creating a welcoming destination for visitors while adding new opportunities for gathering and events.”

The next stop on the Trolley Tour was the Oakhurst Community Center followed by a visit to the Sierra Senior Center.

At the Community Center, its volunteer board co-president Jessica Trettin (with Dennis Kogler) and EMC Foundation maintenance manager Josh Augason addressed the group.

“We’ve been focused on deferred maintenance, infrastructure and safety since 2020 and now we’ve made so much progress we can turn to aesthetics and amenities,” said Trettin.

Recent improvements at the 1960s-era Community Center include a new roof on the main building, new deck and swamp coolers.

“We’ve had no complaints about heat in the main hall so far this summer!” said Augason — a first for a few years at least.

An employee of the EMC Foundation, Auguson is also the maintenance manager for the Sierra Senior Center, Oakhurst Community Park, Fresno Flats and the Coarsegold Community Center.

The Oakhurst Fall Festival, previously held at the community park, moves this year to the Community Center for the first time Friday through Sunday, Oct. 9-11 followed by the Yosemite Celtic Festival returning Oct. 17-18.

Once those events are in the books, plans are underway for a new amphitheater at the Community

Center and the possibility of building pickleball courts is in discussion. Meanwhile, the place looks great.

“The progress was impressive and reflected a strong partnership between the center and the community,” DeHart said.

“We’re especially looking forward to seeing the new amphitheater take shape and experiencing how this space will further serve the community in the future.”

Just a hop, skip and a quick ride downhill from the community center, Georgia Kopel greeted the group at Sierra Senior Center where she showed off recent improvements to the property including the new walkway.

“The sense of community and care throughout the facility was unmistakable,” DeHart shared, noting the senior center’s future wish list includes accessible exercise equipment along the path, a community garden and outdoor art and murals.

“It was inspiring to hear about the possibilities for making the outdoor spaces even more welcoming, active and accessible,”

DeHart said.

The air-conditioned trolley continued on to the Coarsegold Museum for an update from the Historical Society’s Karen Morris on its beautifully maintained grounds, historic buildings and collections.

“The old adobe cabin has truly stood the test of time with beautifully staged rooms and a kitchen that helped bring the history of the site to life,” said DeHart, also noting the presence of the historic school house and reproduction Native village on site, among other attractions.

“The museum houses historical pieces including donations of beautiful original uniforms that remain in remarkable condition. Proper display cases are still needed to ensure these important pieces can be protected and preserved for future generations.”

DeHart said the stop was a “wonderful reminder that historic preservation is not only about maintaining buildings but also about safeguarding their stories and artifacts that connect us to the past.”

After a jaunt out to North Fork, its Chamber of Commerce board members Christina White and Kara Shearer stepped out of their new Wild Iris Real Estate office to share updates on beautification throughout town.

“Several buildings have already begun receiving facelifts, creating a more welcoming environment for both visitors and residents,” DeHart said.

“The patriotic buntings and signs funded through the EMC Foundation’s Art Banner project and installed by the Chamber have been an incredible morale booster for the community.”

White and Shearer explained there’s still more work ahead including opportunities to renovate several additional buildings — among them, the old Shell Gas Station and theater.

“The progress already visible demonstrates how even smaller beautification projects can make a meaningful difference in community pride and the visitor experience.”

The next stop was the North Fork Studio where guests were treated to a presentation by Madera County Library’s director, Krista Riggs.

In 2022, a $4.6 million grant from the California State Library’s Building Forward Library Infrastructure Project was awarded to the North Fork Library and construction is underway to address life safety and other critical maintenance needs.

Riggs, along with Fortune-Ratliff General Contractors’ David Dearing, Madera County’s Elizabeth Espinoza and Jean Russell of Friends of the North Fork Library, offered an update on construction amidst the expansion.

“The building has been stripped down its original framing with the construction team working diligently to ensure the foundational infrastructure is sound before reconstruction begins,” DeHart said.

“At the same time, sidewalks throughout North Fork are under construction as part of a larger community vision to create an accessible path connecting downtown across the bridge to the Sierra Mono Museum and North Fork School. What an incredible team and collective community effort!”

The final stop before returning to the Oakhurst visitor’s center where the tour began was the North Fork Old Mill Site and North Fork Community Development Council (CDC) building.

Wade Wheeler welcomed the group to share the CDC’s vision for the Old Mill Site as a shared community enterprise. The CDC building has undergone significant improvements including air conditioning, new flooring and paint, a remodeled kitchen and office spaces.

The group also received updates on other projects throughout the Old Mill Site.

“The biomass plant was recently fired up successfully while the mill site trails have been undergoing repairs and reconstruction to improve access, safety and trailhead information.”

Officials said the future History Park will feature an amphitheater, grassy areas for picnicking and play, accessible walkways and interpretive signs. The CDC also hopes to develop an adjacent bike and pump track creating a safe, active and fun place for youth.

“Taken together, these projects represent an exciting vision for transforming the historic Mill Site into a place where history, recreation, entrepreneurship and community gathering can come together.”

After lunch in the CDC building including chocolate chip cookies homemade by Laura Young, the Trolley Tour concluded back in Oakhurst where the Art & Wine Hop was just heating up.

“From new hospitality and gathering spaces to historic preservation, accessibility, community beautification to recreation and economic development, the Trolley Tour provided a firsthand look at the many ways local investment and grant-supported projects are helping our communities grow,” DeHart said.

“Most importantly, we saw the people and partnerships behind the projects — the shared vision, persistence and community pride that turn plans into places people can enjoy for years to come.”

For more visit www.easternmaderacountyfoundation.org.