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:
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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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.
-------
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!"
-------
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.
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.
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.
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.
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