FOSL Blog

SLRP Habitat and History Mural Installed! by Dale

4/28/2025

It's hard to miss the new mural now installed on the south side of the Baler building at SLP. The new mural is a city sponsored project with input from community, tribal, and environmental groups as well as local experts. The mural is meant to be public art that attracts, teaches and inspires those that visit SLP. Seen from a distance as you approach the park it draws you closer where you can recognize species, habitats, cultural objects and landscapes that have been a dominant part of the region across time.

The artist, Liv Losee-Unger created "The Living Balance" with much input from FOSL especially Robert Sewell's amazing photos combined with stories, observations, and knowledge collected by local experts and volunteers over many years at SLP.

If you haven't made it out to SLP recently, head out soon to see for yourself how the mural stimulates you to look closer and appreciate Sacramento's gateway to the American River Parkway. SLP is still undergoing planning and restoration from a time when it was the city's landfill. You can help protect and enjoy it so that others can do the same long into the future.

A teaching tool has been produced to go along with "The Living Balance" mural providing more details on the species and crafts presented. A QR code is provided on the mural to download the teaching tool guide. The code is not active yet but the guide can be downloaded here or from the city's website. Whether you study the teaching tool guide before your visit or after you return, it's something you will want to return to often. The same is true for this new mural!

"The Living Balance" Mural design and educational packet

Sutter's Landing Regional Park Draft Site Plan Presentation & Comments by Corey

3/4/2025

Sacramento City Parks, Youth, and Community Enrichment staff will present the draft Sutter’s Landing Park Draft Site Plan to the City’s Parks and Community Enrichment Commission this Thursday, March 6, 2025 beginning at 5:30 pm at City Hall. Please plan on attending and speaking in favor of a nature-focused plan.

A copy of the one-page site plan and link to the document are provided here. The link also includes a page from the City’s Parks Plan 2040 that includes “Key Direction 6: Foster Nature and Trail Connections” including “Designate Natural Areas for the Purpose of Protection and Best Practice Maintenance Planning.”

Key points to raise:

Sutter’s Landing Park provides the City’s greatest (or one of its greatest) opportunities to implement Parks Plan 2040 Key Direction 6 by designating the park’s large “Mound” area and the West SLP properties as “Natural Areas.”

Sutter’s Landing Park provides a convenient and low-cost place for children and their families to connect to nature and the outdoors

Specifically urge the Commission to support designating the Mound and the West SLP areas as Natural Areas and provide for the protection and restoration of the important habitat these properties provide for habitat for sensitive and other species including Swainson’s hawks, red-tailed hawks, White-tailed kites, deer, rabbits, and many others.

Provide any additional comments you have regarding the site plan and/or discuss your personal experiences enjoying Sutter’s Landing Park.

If you can’t attend the meeting, please email your comments to the Commissioner that represents the City Council district in which you live. Even better, you can send your email to each of these email addresses.

*        [email protected]
        *        [email protected]
        *        [email protected]
        *        [email protected]
        *        [email protected]
        *        [email protected]
        *        [email protected]
        *        [email protected]
        *        [email protected]
        *        [email protected]

Thank you in advance for considering this request. I hope to see you at this Thursday’s City Parks and Community Enrichment Commission meeting.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need any additional information.
Sincerely,
Corey Brown
[email protected]

City of Sacramento Parks and Community Enrichment Commission Members/Emails:

Return of the Salmon Returned!

1/14/2025

On 11/16/24 FOSL hosted "Return of the Salmon". The tradition for this event began over a decade before when Friends of the Riverbanks regularly hosted monthly events.

Those attending the "Return of the Salmon" event heard the story of salmon as shared by Laura Drath of California Department of Fish and Wildlife. All present learned of this great fish, including its life journey and the centuries its kind have been traveling these waters. Everyone discovered how our lives are linked to one another now and throughout history on the rivers running through Sacramento. People brought questions and curiosity and enjoyed this special event. Laura gave a hands on presentation and took questions at this family-friendly activity on the beach along the American River.

Stay tuned for future events and be sure not to miss any.

Mid-Summer Volunteer Report by Betsy

8/19/2023

Enjoying all the native plants well cared for in the gateway garden.

Increasingly, Sutter's Landing Park is very popular this time of year. This year late high river flows covered much of the river area popularly visited. Now summer is in full swing along with all the things, good and bad, that come with it. A group of very dedicated and hard working FOSL volunteers are out almost daily keeping the area clean and helping visitors enjoy nature and the great outdoors in our backyard. An edited version of the most recent volunteer report follows to give a much better idea of what it takes to keep the park clean and how much room there is for improvement in behavior and help by those that come to enjoy it.
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The past two weeks at SLP have been a mixed bag of positives and negatives. I wish the community realized how much effort SLP's volunteers put into keeping the River and Parkway clean, safe, and accessible. Thank you to Catherine, Bea, and Elisa who can always be counted on to make sure the beaches and trails are super clean, and the garbage cans are emptied and lined, each and every Saturday. No matter what, this happens Saturday morning, and it's done by the time visitors arrive in numbers. It's not just trash, either. They check the known sites for hidden camps, they put out still hot and smoking campfires, and haul up whatever makes it way down to the water. Well, we do have to confess that we had to call Mark to come and get the shopping cart out of the River. It went over the bank, and down to the water. Mark always responds to calls for help, and he got the cart up to the dumpster and took its wheels off so it stayed there. Catherine comes back on Sunday morning, and even if its just her sometimes she will manage to clean up, haul full bags of garbage from the garbage cans up to the parking lot dumpster and make sure the cans get relined. Dan comes on Sunday to maintain the Gateway Garden and direct and work on restoration in the Parkway, which at this time is our mighty effort to defeat star thistle in the downriver portion of SLP. Chris, Paul, Kathleen, Dan and Allicia have been key to getting us where we are today. Thank you, Chris, for coming out this past Saturday at 7:00 a.m. to beat the heat and bag some star thistle.

Thank you, Tom, for making a spot check of SLP at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 6th. We knew that the scofflaws had hidden a barbeque in the their cart and were hoping to get away with starting a barbeque. Despite an initial problem with Sheriff's Dispatch, he got Rangers down to the beach to take care of not one barbeque but two! A previous group who had initially taken their barbeque back to their car, somehow managed to sneak it down anyway to the Boat Launch beach. Sheriff's Dispatch is so much improved that this isn't a complaint, but if Tom had been a new volunteer the Ranger service would not have happened. The first Dispatcher insisted that it was a call for the Fire Department, not Rangers. Tom had to hang up and dial again, and the second time was the charm. A different Dispatcher made a call for Ranger service. Confusion also happened on a call for service Saturday on the unacceptable loud music coming from the party boat. The Dispatcher answering the call for Ranger service said that she couldn't forward noise complaints during the day per Sheriff Cooper's orders. We explained that this was Regional Parks under the jurisdiction of Chief Ranger Orman, and we weren't aware of any directives from him regarding noise complaints. She did put in a request for service, and the Rangers responded, handled the problem, as well as others, as they always do. The County Rangers are indispensable to keeping Sutter's Landing from degenerating to its previous state of illegal camps, drunken parties featuring barbeques and boom box competitions (James remembers the time parks staff had to come out, dismantle and haul away a large wooden stage the scofflaws had built to hold a concert on the party beach), special events that drew upwards of 100 people, and general behavior that prevented families and others from using this part of the River and Parkway.

Thank you to Paul who came this past Sunday, in the heat of the afternoon, to walk the entire beach area and habitat trail for trash and problems. He always manages to ferret out stuff, like a large piece of foam mattress hanging up in a tree, and three unopened cans of beer. The foam mattress wasn't such a thrill, but he was happy with the beer. Afternoon help on the weekends is really needed and greatly appreciated, and Paul comes to the rescue.

Its unfortunate, and this is a way understatement, but we believe Young Chris is back. Chris is the homeless man who is either mentally ill, drug addicted, or both, who for the past three years has terrorized SLP. He turns over the garbage cans and scatters trash everywhere, he builds fires with plastic and other trash, and leaves them burning, and he creates "scenes" on the beach with his erratic behavior. We haven't seen him this year but someone, and the SLP "regulars" say its Young Chris, is on the beach with a hatchet and bowie knife, cutting down trees and branches, and scoring many trees with hatchet marks. I stayed at SLP until 9:00 p.m. this past Saturday hoping he would appear - no luck. Yesterday I came at 7:00 a.m. hoping to catch him - no luck. I did find a hot fire on the Boat Launch beach, a small elderberry tree in the Outdoor Classroom area cut down, and there was a lot more evidence of vegetation clearing and cut branches. The destruction is significant, and if whoever cannot be identified and stopped soon, I don't know in what state SLP will be left. Even Ranger Perez noticed the pile of cut branches just off the main trail to the beach. He thought we were doing some kind of maintenance work it was so extensive. We have given some of the more responsible "regulars" Parkway Watch cards and asked them to please call Sheriff's Dispatch for Ranger service if they see Young Chris, or whoever it is.

The Rangers had the busiest weekend ever, I think, at SLP, last weekend. I'll just say that Friday last week at least a couple of people visiting the beach called Sheriff's Dispatch and asked for Ranger service because one of the large party boats was blasting their music. On Saturday, several people reported the incident to us, and, first of all, the noise must have been unbelievable to get members of the public to call, but more importantly, the people that called wanted to know if law enforcement actions were being taken against the party boat miscreants because of the disrespectful stance they took with the Rangers. It was very upsetting to the people who observed the interaction, as visitors to SLP appreciate the Rangers, and are grateful for their presence. Two calls for Ranger service on Saturday were made for noise and a barbeque on the main beach by the same party boat scofflaws. Ranger Sarah successfully contacted two women and a man with three dogs running loose on the Main Beach (these same people had let the largest of the dogs pee in the Gateway Garden, they thought it was funny, and poop on the main trail to the beach), and they left the park a few minutes after she drove away. The Rangers also made contact with a pregnant homeless lady who has been sleeping on the main beach at night for about two weeks. Although she leaves for most of the day, her presence is causing problems as we knew it would. Even though she is quiet and clean, we are now having problems with other homeless people camping, and a first is some of the public is asking if camping is allowed at SLP after observing her. The Rangers asked after her well being and she said she didn't want/need any help as she liked sleeping at SLP because it was peaceful. Thursday, while she was packing her stuff up at 7:30 a.m., I had to ask another homeless lady who had set up her tent and belongings to please dismantle her camp as no overnight camping was allowed in the Parkway. We have also had a couple of men spend the night in the area of the rope swing, and asked them to please not camp overnight.

Sunday night, Ranger Andrew drove through, and had time to check out the beach area for alcohol. There was a lot of beer in glass bottles going down. Although he was not on the beach long, and issued warnings only, it was time well spent. About 10 minutes after he drove away, the two groups that we knew were drinking beer in glass bottles left.

As you know, Dan is leading our next effort to begin the renovation of the failed restoration site. We are tackling this large area in sections to gain experience through trial and error vis a vis controlling the weeds and star thistle, watering the new plants for at least 3 years, etc. Its criminal, yes, it is, that the spectacular elderberry at the base of the bicycle ramp in the restoration site area has turned into a toilet for the illegal campers and maybe others. They have hacked an entrance into the elderberry which makes a private "stall" because it is covered with grapevine. I'll file a 311 Report for the Camps Team to come clean up the waste, and also clean up the waste in the alcove off the Party Beach which is also being used as a handy toilet. I think the remedy to the elderberry, and this may also pertain to the second elderberry a few feet upriver of this one in the restoration site, is to seek a permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the grapevine and open the elderberry(s) up for visibility. We might have to ask to coppice the bush(s), as it have been so beat up over time. Before becoming a toilet(s) it was also a popular place(s) to camp.

Special thanks to James and Paul, Regional Parks Superintendents, for taking time to walk some problem areas of SLP with me, Mark and Tom this past Monday. We also discussed the placement of our two inaugural doggie waste bag stations. They are ready for installation and not a moment too soon.

I'll stop. This report is becoming entirely too long but there is a lot happening at SLP. Watch for an "all hands on deck" call in the coming weeks for two major projects. One, is to clear some remaining invasive grasses in the restoration site gully to "free up" the extensive stands of creeping wildrye, and spread mulch, and a second urgent project to remove a large patch of very invasive bamboo growing in the vicinity of the railroad bridge. Paul discovered the bamboo on Saturday, and it needs to be taken care of ASAP.

Looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend.

Be well and safe.

Your Parkway Pal, Betsy

Another load of the trash and many other items left behind by visitors

Alcohol and BBQs are banned but frequently seen at SLP along with large piles of trash, dog waste and more. Do better people!

Trails, Habitat, and Wildlife by Dale

3/29/2023

One of many mature cottonwoods lost recently at SLP

Spring is back, with continuing atmospheric rain events this year, and this is the primary nesting and breeding season for wildlife. During this season, habitat is very important as food and shelter for all wildlife raising their young. Unfortunately, there has been increased erosion and vegetation loss at SLP and the adjacent lower American River Parkway impacting remaining habitat. Much of this damage can be seen along the bluffs above the river where foot and bicycle activity has compacted soils and increased natural erosion. A number of mature standing trees fell into the river during recent storms. Again, this is a natural process but there has been a definite increase in recent years. There has also be a loss of river edge habitat from trampling and removal during human activities at SLP creating a larger beach area with warmer water temperatures for fish.

Example of use of temporary sign to protect wildlife

Sign used to protect ground nesting birds in Portland regional park.

Riparian habitat removed at SLP for Caltrans bridge project

Mature riparian trees removed recently at SLP

Most riparian vegetation removed by Army Corps for upstream levee work

These habitat areas need to be avoided so that vegetation can reestablish with roots to hold more soil in place. On the SLP side of the river there is very little habitat remaining between the waters edge and the levee. The recently constructed Two Rivers trail segment encouraged more off-pavement activity in these habitats with now well established "volunteer" trails and disturbance. Further upstream, most or even all the remaining riparian habitat has been removed for a Caltrans bridge project and Army Corps levee work. Very little habitat remains now from the footbridge at Sac State down to SLP. Much of the mitigation for this work will be planted offsite upstream and it will be quite a while before habitat reestablishes in the remaining areas. This makes existing habitat even more important for wildlife especially with nesting and breeding seasons well underway.

FOSL and FORB are working with the City and County to get more signage in place and control access in disturbed areas. Signs like those used in popular parks in Portland would help lessen impacts and remind people to enjoy nature without disturbing wildlife. Expect to see signs and perhaps barriers to help remind all that wildlife need help by protecting habitat and avoiding nesting or other sites with young animals. Hopefully more habitat restoration work will be planned, approved and funded to get underway soon.

Example of use of temporary barrier to protect habitat damage by volunteer trails

Example of barrier to protect plant restoration work

Volunteer trail at SLP now used by off-pavement bikes and many more people

Finally, spending time outdoors is unique and precious providing many values. But not everyone has an easy time getting outdoors. Too often, a lack of local parks or being made to feel unwelcome limit such experiences. What if you don't have vision to experience nature? It's not uncommon to encounter a "five senses" trail with stations designed for our individual senses but these typically require sighted navigation. For many blind and low vision people, accessing outdoor spaces like parks can be challenging. Trails are often unsafe or difficult to navigate, signs don’t usually include Braille, and guides generally aren’t trained to help disabled visitors, and so on. I did a "Making Tracks" community radio program recently about a new type of trail that changes that. This seems like something that could fit well at SLP and the Parkway.

Now get out there and enjoy nature but remember to share it with wildlife and everyone else

Signs of predation during ground nesting season

Heavy Work, Impacts & Thanks Around SLP

11/19/2022

Familiar boat occupied SLP area for much of the year now partially sunk again downstream...

It's been a busy year again at SLP and the lower Am River Parkway area surrounding it. Likely record breaking numbers of visitors came to relax, picnic, party, enjoy and sometimes damage the area. It's also been a time of record volunteer efforts to keep the area clean and safe for visitors with regular and ongoing efforts to remove trash from visitors, campers, off-leash dog waste and more. There has also been effort to restore some damaged areas and replant the parking lot entryway. Kudos for all the hard work!

Fires, goat grazing to manage vegetation, utility and levee maintenance work were all common sights again this year and will continue to be in the future. A much bigger change has been large bridge and flood control projects just upstream reducing aquatic habitat in and along the river along with upland habitat loss. Only narrow strips of habitat were available on the south (SLP) side of the river before this work started and much less exists now. Mitigation efforts were mostly elsewhere in the Parkway. Remaining habitat is more important than ever and increased restoration will be needed. Recreation access has been detoured for months and will continue in 2023. Unfortunately the off levee location selected for the Two Rivers Bike trail extension after other major construction is completed will further reduce existing habitat while likely increasing human disturbance it remaining areas.

Bridge Widening Just Upstream From SLP (video)

Larger numbers than ever seen before of vehicles and other camp sites occupied many areas around the lower Am River Parkway as people without homes gathered together. Fires, trash and habitat destruction continue to be common impacts. The struggle to find long term housing solutions beyond the Parkway continues in spite of funding and political pressure.

The same is apparently true for the AfterShock rock concert which brought 160,000 people to Discovery Park with noise and other impacts across the lower Am River for the 10th year with little if any value to the Parkway. The event is already scheduled to return next year as well.

Meanwhile the long delayed Am River Parkway Natural Resource Management Plan and its Monitoring Plan are still in draft form under review with many questions and concerns about how adequate funding and oversight will be possible in spite of all the ongoing pressures already in place.

With the pressure from everyone coming out to enjoy nature and recreation at SLP combined with the impacts from construction and maintenance activities throughout the lower Am River Parkway, remaining habitat is more important than ever for wildlife.

Examples of wildlife in the immediate area:

River Otter Viewing in Lower Am River Parkway (video)

Fall Wildlife Viewing & Giving Thanks at SLP (video)

It is very important that habitat and wildlife are given higher priority to preserve and restore these values if the lower American River Parkway is to provide wildlife, recreation and environmental services for all who enjoy it.

Downstream Urrutia parcel includes important habitat & restoration potential & may become part of Parkway

SMUD substation work nearly finished and new west side parcels acquired for SLP addition soon. Habitat will be needed too...

Multi-year closure for bridge widening over Parkway near SLP

Flood Control Work Above SLP Removed Most Trees on that side of river

Lots of flood control rock but little vegetation on south side Am River

Looking downriver from H St Bridge where rock replaces vegetation

Looking upstream from H St bridge where soil will be added later & some vegetation should grow

"They paved Paradise (Beach) and put up a parking lot". Photo by JoEllen

Flood control work upstream from SLP @ Paradise Beach. Photo by JoEllen.

One of too many fires at SLP again this summer

More fires again across river from SLP @ Woodlake area

Upstream work widening I80 bridge over Am River continues with much habitat loss

Aftershock Festival Returns to the Parkway, Why? by Dale

10/7/2022

The only interpretive information near Aftershock event is excluded outside it

"After Aftershock" update added below 10/10/22.

The impact of this multi-day event starts long before and lasts well after it has ended. The main area of Discovery Park and the recreational trail used by many is fenced off and closed in with a lack of access to services, shade, and more throughout this period.

Supposedly, events within the Parkway are to include educational and environmental aspects that match with the purpose and mission of the American River Parkway. That hasn't been a consideration or even played a minor role during these events. It is a missed opportunity to not draw attention to the amazing and unique Parkway during the event and encourage those that come for the event to return under more normal conditions and enjoy what the area is best for. That is the appreciation and enjoyment of nature, wildlife, open spaces and being able to recreate.

Unfortunately, events like Aftershock may also lead to increasing numbers of visitors to the Parkway wanting or expecting to "party down and rock out" with these types of uses and impacts along the lower American River. This seems to be increasingly the case for SLP.

Certainly the city and county profit from the event and some of that money comes to Parks to repair and restore damages and make some improvements afterwards. But what about the loss of access, increased noise and other disturbances that occur? The music carries well beyond the park and can be heard across, up and down river for days. The increased use of water, fossil fuel and electricity, dust generation, vegetation trampling are also impacts that aren't mitigated beyond containment inside a large fenced off area. Even that isn't the case as people try to concentrate just outside the fence to take in the event leading to further impacts.

There are steps being taken to reduce traffic and most walk or use active transportation to get to the event. The event itself is a big increase in energy and water use however.

So what could be done? For starters build into all event programs educational material and presentations about the cultural and natural history of the area and the climate emergency we all face. Identify why the area is so special and must be protected. Encourage those that attend to support its protection and also return and value the Parkway. Moving large events such as this to existing facilities such as Cal Expo, Arco Arena or other large venues with existing infrastructure better suited for crowds, traffic, and other impacts. Requiring the use of renewable energy for additional power requirements and restore adjacent areas to better provide habitat and buffer to the impacts of such events. Currently the best that can be said is that the volunteer valet bicycle parking program seems effective and valuable. It's also a volunteer effort by Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates rather than those responsible for the resources and impacts.

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Information provided by city elected officials regarding the event:

"Aftershock is back this weekend, bringing not only 4 days of the biggest rock acts in the world to Sacramento, but thousands of people who come from all over the country to attend. It’s the largest festival of its kind nationwide right here in our backyard, which is really exciting for our City but also brings a lot of people into town. We’re anticipating larger crowds in town this weekend than usual, so please plan trips accordingly. For those of you attending Aftershock, be safe and rock on!"
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Aftershock Music Festival, an event permitted by SacCounty Regional Parks, will take place at Discovery Park this weekend October 6, 2022, through Sunday, October 9,2022. Please see information below for more details.
Dates: October 6-9, 2022
Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on (Thursday/Sunday) and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on (Friday/Saturday).
Things to note:

American River Parkway Multi-Use (Bike) Trail will remain open for the general public to use. Please expect delays.
A slight trail detour will be in place until October 21st for the safety of trail users.
Boat launch ramp will be closed during the duration of the Aftershock event from Thursday, October 6th through Sunday, October 9th.
For parking and traffic information, please click here.

Community members may call the event hotline number at (916)365-4397 with comments or concerns related to the event.For information about the detours, please contact the SacCounty Parks Events Services at (916)875-6336 or [email protected].

Please visit the event website for more information at https://aftershockfestival.com/.
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Fencing, stages and related event infrastructure was up nearly a week before the event

A little of the support for the event. Note Yellow-billed magpies displaced from foraging.

No environmental info available on the program or via the event website...

My Apple Watch alerted me to high levels of noise Sunday evening when I was still about a half mile upstream from the event. I soon passed a cyclist trying to pin her ear to her shoulder as she rode past one of the active stages nearest the trail. I tried to mention this to the rangers I passed later but I don't think they could hear me...
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One of the stages and support areas that was part of Aftershock.

After Aftershock? As of Monday evening most of the infrastructure and barriers from the event are still in place. It is possible to bike through on the main trail or over to the Garden Highway. The boat ramp is available again but only from the Old Sacramento side. Inside, there are certainly days, and maybe nights, of work ahead before the structures from the event are gone. One estimate seen was that there would be exclusions at the park until October 21st, more than two weeks after the event The disturbance to the park and surrounding area will take longer to heal. A recently "restored" 9+ acre area of irrigated turf looked heavily impacted during the event and was being watered now. This is probably a good example of the increased use of water, electricity and fossil fuel generators that were needed during the event. Increased use of these resources continues while the event infrastructure is taken down.

"Restored" irrigated turf is being watered after days of being trampled during the event.

Looking towards the new "restored" irrigated turf area from the Garden Highway this evening.

Interpretive signs at Discovery Park, earlier during the event the signs were outside this fencing

Fencing still in place between the multi-use trail and Discovery Park

Not the normal nature experience experienced here.

One of many portable buildings located at the event and powered to provide support and security.

Surprise, surprise, another oversized music concert is scheduled in Discovery Park October 15-16.

The Golden Sky Music Festival, an event permitted by SacCounty Regional Parks, will take place at Discovery Park this weekend on Saturday, October 15, 2022, and Sunday, October 16,2022.
This event appears to avoid some of the traffic control, ride-sharing, active transportation measures that were in place for Aftershock. Instead, no through traffic from I-5 eastbound to Truxel will be allowed as will westbound traffic from the Garden Highway to I-5. Motorists encouraged to use West El Camino as an alternative. Traffic conditions begin Saturday morning and continue til 1 AM Monday morning. This seems to increase traffic congestion, air quality impacts and increased fossil fuel use instead of addressing the climate emergency both the city and county have declared...

Dates: October 15-16, 2022 Time: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

American River Parkway Multi-Use (Bike) Trail will remain open for the general public to use. Please expect delays.
A slight trail detour will be in place until October 21st for the safety of trail users.
The archery range and park through road will also be closed for safety to allow for large equipment and trucks to set up for the event.
Boat launch ramp will be open
For parking and traffic information, please click here.

Community members may call the event hotline number at (916)365-4397 with comments or concerns related to the event.

For information about the detours, please contact the SacCounty Parks Events Services at (916)875-6336 or [email protected].
Please visit the event website for more information at https://goldenskyfestival.com/
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Final Footnote: It was announced 11/8/22 that the 10th annual AfterShock held within the American River Parkway attracted 160,000 attendees this year and has already been booked to return October 2023.

Great Central Valley Key to 30 by 30 Biodiversity Success

2/3/2022

Parks, refuges and other open space areas have key value in the ongoing effort to protect 30% of California's lands and waters by 2030. The goal aims to protect biodiversity, build resilience to climate change, and ensure equitable access to nature for all Californias.

Based on the analysis of wildlife organizations including Audubon California, The Nature Conservancy, Point Blue Conservation Science and the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership it is clear that increasing protection for parks, refuges and other open spaces in the Central Valley are key to this effort. That includes SLP and the American River Parkway. These organizations have produced a new "StoryMap" that very effectively demonstrates why the Central Valley is so important to protecting biodiversity in California. Take the time to look at the StoryMap and better understand the key role in preserving biodiversity and providing equitable access to nature played by parks, refuges and open space in this region.

How do we get there? Following are some key recommendations from the StoryMap:

Supporting Indigenous stewardship of Central Valley lands and waters.
Expanding state and federal wildlife refuges.
Improving management of existing state and federal wildlife refuges.
Creating new regional and county parks.
Creating long-term solutions on agricultural lands.
Investing in multiple-benefit flood safety projects.
Create new habitat from San Joaquin Valley's agricultural land retirement.
Promoting wildlife friendly recharge basins.

Let's focus on the recommendation for creating new regional and county parks which also applies to expanding existing ones such as SLP. The Central Valley is one of the fastest growing regions in California but Central Valley residents have the lowest access to parks and open space. Access to parks and open space provide numerous benefits for human and community health:

Low cost or free opportunities for physical activity.

Supporting mental health.

Lessening chronic diseases.

Building a sense of community and belonging.

Resilience to climate stressors.

Increased local biodiversity benefits.

In addition, communities in the Central Valley face unique challenges due to poor air and water quality, increasing impacts from heat, and pollution from urban/ag land conversion with the loss of habitat and open space. The Central Valley also provides critical habitat for many species, especially ones that migrate through the region.

The recommendation for creating new regional and county parks is based on the following:
County and regional park systems in many wealthier parts of California are already providing critical biodiversity and climate resilience benefits while also providing local access for hiking, biking, fishing, picnicking, and more.

California should direct resources to counties to:

Invest in the purchase, restoration, and development of regional parks.

Prioritize those counties with under-resourced communities that have the least access to nature.

Co-create parks/regional park systems with the local communities.

Supporting this ongoing statewide effort is something we can all do. Comments are currently being taken on the state's draft "pathways to 30X30 Strategy. Appreciating this important role and working to preserve, restore and expand SLP and other areas is another thing we can do. Finally, remember to appreciate and enjoy these values the next time you come to SLP and the adjacent Parkway!

Early Fall Morning Report 10/29/21

10/29/2021

A few early morning photos taken at SLP by Lori using her iPhone.

Woodlake Riverfront Cleanups by Mark

10/12/2021

We had a great day Saturday October 2nd. 25 people including park staff got sooo much done I can’t believe it. We cleaned more area than I could ever have dreamed of. We cleaned 2 of the biggest messes in the whole mile I have committed to cleaning up. Save the American River Association (SARA) came thru at the end with a few extra volunteers. The longtime camper was inspired to clean his camp that day. We left him with some bags and told him he could add to our huge pile. It is good to make contact with a friendly camper. The unknown is scary. In my adopted mile there two other camps that I know of. They are down by the island near our last big group cleanup. I will be focusing on that area next. Thank you everyone for your support A real big shout out to Facebook group “Sacramento Picks It Up!” Lots of real hardworking experienced volunteers. What dedication. Remember this group, they are working miracles all over Sacramento. Sunday we are cleaning the Tower Bridge water front. I plan another cleanup in two weeks to finish the areas after the bobcat picks up the piles. (See below for updates on upcoming cleanups)

Video clips of cleanup:

Tarp load hauled out manually

Bobcat loader removing trash

VOLUNTEERS MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Heads up!

On Oct 16 I will be teaming up with Facebook group “Sacramento Picks It Up”, "Friends of Sutter’s Landing" and the American River Parkway Foundation (ARPF) for my next cleanup. We will be doing it right this time and filing waivers, and trash reports. We will be in the same location cleaning up after the bobcats in our last location, and new areas nearby. I think I will be able to get permission to drive close to the cleanup site like last time.

To date I am responsible for removing over 10 TONS of trash from the Woodlake area this summer. The area is so beautiful without all the trash. WE CAN GET THIS DONE THIS YEAR. With your help.

“Sacramento Picks It Up” will also be doing Tower Bridge 3.0 Cleanup on Oct 30. The Coastal Cleanup asked for our help on cleanup day. We went back last week for 2.0 last Sunday after our BIG Woodlake cleanup Saturday.