Friends of the Verde River’s new River Center is getting a fresh look. On July 11, a team of community volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help prepare the space for its future opening.
While the River Center is not yet open to the public, exciting improvements are underway as Friends prepares the space for regular hours of operation following the official grand opening this October.
Friends recently secured this long-term home for its future River Center through a partnership with the Verde Village Community Connection, leasing the Community Center at 4855 E. Broken Saddle Drive in Cottonwood and assuming stewardship of the adjacent 33.66-acre Nature Preserve along the river. (Read more: Friends of Verde River moves from Main Street to river’s edge)
The River Center will become a hub for river education, conservation, volunteerism and community connection. Before welcoming visitors through its doors, Friends of the Verde River is making updates to create a functional, inviting space where the community can gather, learn and connect with the Verde River.
During the volunteer workday, participants tackled a variety of projects inside and outside the building, including:
- Fresh exterior paint
- Gutter cleaning
- Cleanup around the preserve
- Minor repairs and organization
- Relocating the community’s beloved free library to its new home on the side of the building
“We know that the library is a beloved community asset and we want everyone to know it is still here,” said David Gressly, executive director of Friends of the Verde River. “We’ve moved it to the side of the building, where neighbors and visitors can continue to enjoy it, and we’ve added a few books about the Verde River.”
The updates are part of a larger effort to transform the River Center into a welcoming home for community programs, river education, conservation efforts and opportunities for people to connect with the Verde River.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who came out to lend a hand,” Gressly said. “Every brushstroke, every repair and every hour volunteered brings us one step closer to opening the River Center for the community. This project is possible because of the generosity and dedication of our supporters.”
Friends of the Verde River extends its heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers, partners, supporters and community members who make this work possible. Their time, energy and commitment are helping create a place where people can learn about, celebrate and protect the Verde River for years to come.
More updates about the River Center’s grand opening celebration this October will be shared in the coming months. Until then, Friends will continue putting the finishing touches on this exciting new space.
Friends of the Verde River works collaboratively to protect and restore the Verde River and its tributaries, including Oak Creek, Fossil Creek, Granite Creek and Sycamore Creek. The organization envisions a healthy, flowing Verde River system that supports vibrant communities, thriving ecosystems and future generations. Learn more at verderiver.org.
