Ralph Woodward created a will which included the requirement that, upon his death, one-fifth of his estate would go to the purchase of a site for a public park and bird refuge. The site was to be "selected solely by said trustees and conveyed to the City of Fresno as soon as purchased" and that the site shall be purchased "within a reasonable time." Woodward was an outdoorsman and frequently went trap shooting on the San Joaquin River.
Ralph Woodward created a will that specified one-fifth of his estate would be used to buy a site for a public park and wildlife sanctuary, chosen by trustees and handed over to the City of Fresno once purchased. As an avid outdoorsman, Woodward often went trap shooting on the San Joaquin River.