From left, Gary Archer, Raffi Boloyan and Jim Ernest celebrate the installation of the refurbished Greenbelt signs on March 26 at the Pip Wine Bar and Shop. Photo courtesy of Kathy Ernest

DIXON, CA (MPG) - The Vacaville-Dixon Greenbelt is a 1,003-acre parcel of land between the cities of Vacaville and Dixon, right around Interstate 80. The land, originally owned by Gary Archer of Archer and Ficklin, has seen efforts from both cities to keep the agricultural space maintained.

Due to the efforts of Archer, Dixon Councilmember Jim Ernest and the Vacaville-Dixon Greenbelt Authority, this land will remain green for generations.

Archer and Ernest have known each other for 10 years, meeting when Ernest joined the Vacaville-Dixon Greenbelt Authority. Archer owned the land encapsulating the greenbelt until selling it to both Vacaville and Dixon, both cities splitting the cost evenly. According to Archer, the land was sold for $2,000 an acre or more than $2 million.

When Ernest joined the committee, his job was to replace two signs that were in poor condition. This process took the committee six years to fully accomplish. 

Ernest, as the Vacaville-Dixon Greenbelt Authority chairman, led this project intending to maintain these two signs along the greenbelt, one bordering each city. The signs had custom artwork by Don Birrell, commissioned by Archer in 1996.

The Vacaville-Dixon Greenbelt is a 1,003-acre parcel of land between the cities of Vacaville and Dixon, around Interstate 80. The land, originally owned by Gary Archer of Archer and Ficklin, has seen efforts from both cities to keep the agricultural space maintained. Photo courtesy of Gary Archer

Birrell, at the time a Vacaville resident, was the design director for Nut Tree Plaza, 1661 E. Monte Vista Ave., Vacaville. Archer, having heard of him through his association with the owners of Nut Tree and the Vacaville Rotary Club, chose to work with Birrell because, Archer said, his art caught the public’s eye.

Maintaining this belief, the Vacaville-Dixon Greenbelt Authority worked on refurbishing the two signs.

According to Ernest, the project took great effort and, due to the nature of collaboration between two cities, significant time. After much deliberation, the organization was successful and the signs were installed earlier this year.

A celebration was held on March 26 at the Pip Wine Bar and Shop to commemorate the occasion. Both Archer and Ernest, having worked on this project for more than a decade, are proud of their accomplishment and excited for the future. They understand the project’s significance to both cities.

“The Vacaville-Dixon Greenbelt is not a barrier; it is an urban separator,” said Archer. “It serves to separate our two cities and includes agriculture.”

Said Ernest in response, “At the same time, it is an agreement between the two cities to make both better. This will help the kids respect agriculture growing up in these areas.”

Archer and Ernest said they will pass the torch to the next generation, leaving the sanctity of the greenbelt in their hands.

Vacaville-Dixon Greenbelt Authority members address patrons from Dixon and Vacaville. One day, they hope to pass the torch to a new committee of members, keeping the greenbelt and its signage maintained long into the future. Photo courtesy of Kathy Ernest

According to both men, they could not have achieved this goal without the support of Dixon Community Development Director Raffi Boloyan. Archer and Ernest are thankful that Boloyan pushed this project through and appreciate him for his work ethic and personage.

Pacific Neon, an advertising service, was also pivotal in the production of the signs, offering the Greenbelt Authority a reduced price. 

Thanks to the efforts of both Vacaville and Dixon’s citizens, the historical greenbelt will last for ages. 

“When an opportunity comes along, you don’t waste time,” said Archer.