The Lake Oroville Visitors Center complex atop Kelly Ridge overlooks Lake Oroville and Oroville Dam. Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture is pleased to announce the next in its series of free, outdoor nature programs geared toward getting the community outside to enjoy guided hiking, nature, art, and journaling adventures.

Join naturalist-in-residence, Anna Newman, who will lead a visit to the Lake Oroville Visitors Center followed by a hike on the Kelly Point Trail. The experience is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 7. Participants will meet at the Burrows Center for the Arts Gallery, 624 E Street in Marysville at 8 a.m. for an 8:30 a.m. departure. This program is funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants and Local Services.

The Lake Oroville Visitors Center complex atop Kelly Ridge overlooks Lake Oroville and Oroville Dam. It features interpretive displays, and an audio-visual room where films about the dam and surrounding area are shown throughout each day. The visitors center displays feature a history of the Dam construction and State Water Project as well as a historic view of the indigenous populations that inhabit the Lake Oroville Area.

A 47-foot viewing tower allows visitors the opportunity to enjoy a panoramic view of the dam and beautiful Lake. The Lake Oroville Visitors Center has a museum, various exhibits and other multimedia. The view from the tower, through two high-powered telescopes, is a spectacular panorama of the lake, the Sierra Nevada range, valley, foothills and the Sutter Buttes mountain range (smallest in the world!).

This trip is “weather permitting.” Should inclement weather be an issue, you will be notified well in advance of a cancellation, and refunds will be issued. The Kelley Point Trail is approximately three miles round trip. The event is free to all, but advance registration is mandatory at yubasutterarts.org. There is a fully refundable $10 registration fee which will be returned the day of the hike. Free art supplies will be provided to all participants along with water and snacks. Plan to bring a sack lunch. The caravan will return to Marysville after lunch for an estimated 3 p.m. return to the E Street location. 

This event is all made possible thanks to an Outdoor Equity Program Grant Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture received from the California State Parks & Recreation Department. The funding is part of California State Parks’ statewide initiative that has provided grant funding to 125 communities to help advance its “Outdoor Access for All” initiative.

The funding helps establish hubs for local activities and trips to natural areas for underserved communities. Announcements about further outdoor art adventures will be made early next year. Register for these programs at yubasutterarts.org or call 530-742-ARTS (2787). If you have questions or concerns, please contact Anna Newman at 956-525-2031.