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Sacramento County Parks & Recreation Digest



Sacramento Zoological Society Zoo Fundraising Makes Progress

01/30/2025

Fundraising by the Sacramento Zoological Society for the new zoo in Elk Grove has so far brought in $17.5 million of the $50 million necessary for construction to begin. Read on to learn more.

Rusch Park Restrooms Reopened

01/28/2025

Following their closure for a year following repeated damage from vandalism, the east side restrooms at Rusch Community Park in Citrus Heights have been repaired and reopened.

Elk Grove Zoo Project Update

01/24/2025

In their January 22 meeting, the Elk Grove City Council heard about design and naming options for the zoo project, but funding remains a question. Read on to learn more.

Hundreds of California Prison Firefighters Join Battle Against Los Angeles Wildfires

01/09/2025

State prisoners have long been a part of California’s firefighting force. Hundreds of them now are deployed in Los Angeles County.

200 Trees Planted in Del Paso Heights

11/16/2024

Learn how hundreds of volunteers spent November 16 planting hundreds of trees in a Del Paso Heights Park.

Sacramento Zoo Announces Resignation of Executive Director

10/04/2024

On October 4, the Sacramento Zoo announced the resignation of Executive Director Jason Jacobs and named a new team as the zoo prepares to move to Elk Grove.

Applications Open For Rio Linda Elverta Recreation and Parks District Board

09/25/2024

Applications are open to fill a vacancy on the Rio Linda Elverta Recreation and Park District Board of Directors for a term ending in December 2026.

Citrus Heights Holds First National Night Out

08/08/2024

Two Citrus Heights neighborhoods participated in the first city National Night Out on August 6.

National Night Out Events in Citrus Heights

08/01/2024

A list of National Night Out Events in Citrus Heights.

‘Nothing Will Be Protected’ — Why California Environmentalists Oppose a ‘Green’ Energy Bill

07/02/2024

Nearly every major environmental group in California opposes a bill that would modify the state’s signature environmental law to speed up upgrades to power lines. Supporters say it would help free the state from fossil fuels and make the grid more reliable, but opponents fear it would damage state parks.

YIMBYs Endorse California Forever

06/20/2024

On June 19, California YIMBY announced support for the California Forever project going to the Solano County ballot in November.

Rusch Park Restrooms Still Closed

06/01/2024

Set to be reopened in April, repairs on the restrooms in Citrus Height's Rusch Community Park are delayed due to setbacks in the bidding process.

Reconnecting Downtown to Old Sacramento Riverfront

05/29/2024

Federal funds have been requested to study the feasibility of the Sacramento Stitch Park Riverfront Reconnection Project, a 4 acre park spanning Highway 5.

Sacramento Zoo Move Approved

05/13/2024

The Elk Grove City Council voted to approve the move of the Sacramento Zoo to a 100 acre lot at Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway.

Is Disc Golf Course Proposed for Rio Linda

05/12/2024

A new disc golf course is proposed for an area area southwest of the Cherry Island golf course in Rio Linda.

Information About Sacramento Zoo Relocation Project to Elk Grove Released

03/23/2024

The City of Elk Grove has released information about the financing for the $400M multi-phase project to move the Sacramento Zoo to Elk Grove, but questions remain.

California State Parks Recommends $6.7 Million in Grants for Local Recreational Trails

02/06/2024

California State Parks has recommended $6.7 million for seven local nonmotorized trail projects in various cities, including Galt and Gilroy.

South Sacramento Park Receives $8.5 Million Grant for Expansion

01/28/2024

Jack N. Sheldon Park in Sacramento’s Florin neighborhood is one of eight locations to receive funds from the California Statewide Park Program.

New Fitness Club Taking Shape in Citrus Heights

01/27/2024

Renovation work at the 150,000-square-foot Sunrise Village shopping center continues, with the coming addition of a new fitness club.

Disneyland’s New Vision Includes Up to $2.5-billion Investment and Plan to Take Over City Streets

01/26/2024

Disneyland’s plan to reimagine the theme park into a more “immersive” experience may require up to $2.5 billion and a plan to privatize some Anaheim streets.

Fourth Graders Might Lose Free Access to California State Parks

01/12/2024

California’s projected budget deficit of close to $38 billion likely means some cuts are coming. Among them, Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed ending the California State Park Adventure Pass, which offers free access to some state parks for fourth graders.

Advocates Want More Green Spaces in Black Neighborhoods

01/10/2024

Some say the state is not developing and maintaining community recreational facilities equally. They point out that green spaces in neighborhoods where Black Californians live remain underfunded.

Advocates Urge Biden to Expand Berryessa Monument

01/09/2024

Last year, environmental groups and tribes rallied behind a proposed expansion of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Expansion was tried through congressional legislation, but it stalled.

Yosemite Trying New Strategies to Reduce Food Packaging Waste

12/11/2023

An estimated 100,000 pizza boxes have been removed from Yosemite’s waste stream. This is because the famed park now serves pizza on trays and puts to-go portions in compostable bags, part of a move to reduce food-related waste.

California’s First Black-led Conservancy Acquires Land in Placer County

11/30/2023

The 40 Acre Conservation League has recently acquired hundreds of acres of land in Placer County, 70 miles northeast of Sacramento—a significant step toward making outdoor experiences more inclusive.

Utility Increases Loom for 16 Million California Households

11/30/2023

Utility giant PG&E is set to raise its rates an average of 13% on Jan. 1. That equals an extra $32.50 a month, or $390 for the year.

Natural Resources Agency Launches Plan to Increase Outdoor Access in California

11/15/2023

State and local leaders gathered in Los Angeles to celebrate a new plan that will increase access to the outdoors for all Californians, regardless of who they are or where they live.

How to Visit a California State Park for Free

11/12/2023

A pilot program that allows Californians to visit many state parks for free—after checking out a pass from their local library—is helping increase access for more people of color and lower-income residents, according to research from the California State Parks Foundation.

Beachside Trail Close to Finally Getting Built on Central Coast

11/07/2023

A beachside trail connecting the communities of Morro Bay and Cayucos could finally be built after 20 years. This happened after Chevron decided to sell land needed for the trail to be built.

What a Theme Park Giant Merger Means for California

11/05/2023

Two theme park giants, Six Flags and Cedar Fair, announced they are merging. It could have potential impacts on California theme parks like Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

Two Disneyland Voices Are Moving On

10/27/2023

Camille Dixon, the announcer for Disney California Adventure, and her husband, Bill Rogers, the voice of Disneyland, are moving on from this work. They have been at the parks for more than 40 years combined.

Dry Creek Parkway Trail Project to Break Ground in 2025

10/26/2023

​​The Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks is laying the groundwork for its Dry Creek Parkway Trail project.