Merced’s Bear Creek to see $6 million in upgrades. Here’s what residents can expect

The iconic creek that weaves through the city of Merced is about to get some TLC, thanks to funding from the state.

Local leaders on Tuesday held a news conference kickoff the Bear Creek Restoration Project, an endeavor made possible by $6 million funding secured by Assemblymember Adam Gray.

The event was held at Albert Lawson Park along the Michael O. Sullivan bike path near Bear Creek between H and I streets.

The location was particularly fitting, given that many residents use the bike path along the creek for recreational activities.

The funds will be used to restore a roughly six-mile portion of the creek from McKee Road to 16th Street in Merced.

The project is expected to not only remove trash and other pollution from the creek, but to also remove invasive plant overgrowth and improve the habitat for local plants and animals.

The restoration will also include the implementation of an embankment repair program, according to the city.

“As many are aware in our community our Mayor Matt Serratto and many of our community volunteers through the Bear Creek Yacht Club, have drawn attention to the need for both cleanup here on the creek and restoration,” said Gray, D-Merced

“There are many projects that need to be conducted throughout the six mile stretch here in town and this creek of course, and the bike paths and the parks around it are really one of the gems of our community that people enjoy for recreation and family activities.”

Gray said that because of all the work in the community and the volunteer hours put in, it became clear that an extra investment was needed in the City of Merced.

“We’re proud to announce today that we have a $6 million dollar investment for the City of Merced to make this restoration support the work that our mayor’s been doing and support the work that our community’s been doing through the Bear Creek Yacht Club,” said Gray.

According to Mayor Serratto he has spoken with many people who told him that when they first came to the city, they saw how beautiful the creek was and how people would visit it.

Serratto said the creek is a gem to have in the city. “We’ve been working obviously, and Adam’s been a huge part of that as well. (We’ve) been trying to raise awareness we’ve been doing a lot of volunteer work, a lot of volunteer projects, huge appetite in our community to restore this.”

Serratto went on to say that he feels the creek in many ways represents one of the best parts of the community.

“A place where people from all over this town, this belongs to the entire town. People from all over town, people from all walks of life can come and enjoy this.”