Sacramento Running News

Something we all enjoy.

Like mushrooms after a summer rain, signs are popping up on the Parkway announcing upcoming closures and detours.

The first one is actually on the Sacramento River, just up-stream of Old Sacramento and the I Street Bridge.

There is a bit of erosion encroaching on the trail and an unguarded drop off along the river side. This is posted to be closed starting on July 13 and be re-opened on July 17th. We’ll try to keep you posted.

The detour for this part of the trail is (from Downtown) to head up I Street as though you are crossing the I Street Bridge and turning right down Jibboom Street. This will actually carry you up and over the work-site.

The second posted closure is for the World Masters Championship Marathon on the morning of July 17th. The closure will affect both the north and south side of the river between Watt Avenue and the Guy West Bridge.

The third closure, or detour, will be for an unspecified period of time starting on July 15th. The County describes it like this:

Starting on July 15, bicycle and pedestrian traffic on the Jedediah Smith recreational bike trail (between Mile 6 and 7) on the American River Parkway will be detoured to the “lower loop” trail that runs between the Campus Commons Golf Course and drainage outflow east of the Cal Expo Floodplain. The Northrup access will also be closed during this time.

The Northrup access they are referring to here is the one you use if you park at Panera on Howe Avenue and run to the trail. (Be sure to patronize them if you use their parking lot! It’s only fair.)

What about funding?

Finally, and probably, in the long run, most importantly, on July 19th (tentatively at 3:15 pm),the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors will be considering a proposal from the Grass Roots Working Group for Adequate, Stable, Long Term Funding for Our Regional Parks and Open Space System regarding a funding mechanism for the regional park system.

The working group is proposing a 0.1% sales tax increase that would fund an independent regional district to manage the park system, including the American River Parkway. This must be approved by the voters, but the Board of Supervisors needs to approve placing the proposal on the ballot.

This may or may not be the perfect vehicle for funding the Parkway, but if you value this remarkable public asset, I encourage you to participate in the discussion. We are at real risk of losing the safe use of one of Sacramento’s most unique and wonderful features. You can find your Supervisor’s contact information here.