While the Preserve is managed by FoVG, funds acquired to purchase the property in 2009 came with a recreational covenant that placed limits on usage of the property. Recreational activities such as swimming, picnicking, sunbathing, fishing and boating are allowed during the day.

Swimming & Water Quality

No lifeguards are available and swimmers do so at their own risk. Use caution when walking into the river as there are some steep drops in the riverbed. Please note that in California all children under 13 years of age are required to wear a life jacket while underway in recreational vessels of any size, whether motorized or not.

During the warmer months, water quality can degrade and pose a serious health problem for swimmers, including dogs. Sonoma County tests the water and posts the results on signs on the Preserve. Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) are a common occurrence and can be toxic; signs will be updated when algal mats are present. For more detail on river water quality see the county's Russian River Beaches Water Quality Test Results for Patterson Point.

Boat Anchorage

FoVG members may apply for permission to leave their watercraft on the beach during the summer, attached to the secure anchor chain. For more information or to sign up, click here.

Recreational Use of Patterson Point Preserve

While the beach is accessible to the public via the waterway anytime, access through the Preserve is only permitted during the day and watercraft and personal items must be removed by nightfall.

Day access via the river and daily limited recreational use is authorized by the California Coastal Commission, the SCAPOSD and FoVG.

Overnight use of the Preserve including the shoreline is prohibited, and personal items may not be left overnight, unless authorized by FoVG (for example, boat anchorage).

The FoVG Resolution on Removal of Personal Property is available here.

Education: Several information signs have been created by FoVG members:

• Fish: Andrew Ahn provided information on local fish, the sign was painted by Natalie Robb-Wilder
• Birds: the various birds that visit PPP are listed on a three panel sign that was designed by James Beck, photographed by Linda Fisher, based upon information provided by Leah Norwood.
• Plants: The entrance sign and other signs giving plant information and directions were created by Natallie Robb-Wilder.

Public Amenities: Member dues and PPP donations help provide toilet and trash service, and the watering of new plantings during the summer dry season.

Community Celebrations

One of the objectives of the Friends of Villa Grande is to create a sense of community and continue the traditions of the town. To this end, the Friends of Villa Grande has continued and expanded upon the tradition of celebrating the Fourth of July in its unique way.

FoVG also created fun fundraising events has had a history of wonderful dances and costume balls to fund many of the activities of the FoVG.