Sacramento Running News

Rumor has it they are finally enforcing the parking restrictions at the Aquatic Center.

Some time ago, I reported here that the Aquatic Center, would begin restricting parking access to Aquatic Center users (i.e., not the runners and cyclists). And then nothing happened.

This past weekend, there was an attendant turning people away from the parking lot. There doesn’t appear to be much logic associated with the move since the lot is generally half-empty whenever I’ve been there. One runner noted that last weekend, “My wife and I felt bad for the girl they made sit out there to protect their empty parking lot.”

What to do? Get a Golden Poppy Pass, you free-loader, and then park at Nimbus Flat, right around the corner. You should do this anyhow, then you can park at any lot along the river upstream from Hazel–and support the State Parks System that you use all the time.

Over the years, many of us wanting to start our runs along the river at Hazel Avenue have been migrating from the parking lot at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery to the parking lot at the CSUS Aquatic Center. 

Even though I’ve never seen the lot full except for during boat races (when they charge), it looks like that will no longer be an option as the Aquatic Center staff will begin restricting parking to their clients and staff. 

According to the Aquatic Center website:

General Public that wishes to recreate i.e.; swim, paddle their own boats, picnic, should do so at the Nimbus Flats State Park. The Aquatic Center parking lot (inner & outer lot) is reserved for Aquatic Center Patrons.

They are in the process of installing signs indicating this policy and staff at the Aquatic Center stated they would have employees posted at the entrance of their parking area directing folks away to the Fish Hatchery or Nimbus Flats–probably starting September 1st.

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