Sacramento County Parks & Recreation Digest

The Biden administration is one step away from designating the first national marine sanctuary nominated by a tribe. Tribal members of the Chumash, who have lobbied for the creation of this Central Coast preserve for more than a decade, would be involved in managing it.

A virtual meeting was held by the Sunrise Recreation and Park District on Thursday evening to discuss potential locations for a new performance venue that is being proposed by the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band.

A flyer posted on Sunrise Recreation and Park District’s website invites the public to share their thoughts, questions, and concerns on the construction of a new bandshell to be located at Rusch Park.

Some 7,000 square miles of ocean on California’s Central Coast could soon become the largest national marine sanctuary in the continental U.S. It could also make history as one of the first federal sanctuaries to be spearheaded by a Native American tribe.

The legacy of Arnold J. Adreani was celebrated when a neighborhood park was dedicated to him. The Elk Grove educator worked as the principal of Joseph Kerr Middle School for 26 years before dedicating much of his retirement to providing scholarships to local students.

At its July 26 meeting, the Galt Parks and Recreation Commission discussed how to prioritize youth sports groups. Parks and Recreation Director Armando Solis said his department has developed a way for sports groups to reserve fields online.

A 23-acre open space park with a nearly mile-long paved trail through a new housing development off Arcadia Drive is expected to be completed in the fall.

Morning dawns on a field bordered by residential homes a little over a mile north of Winters. Eight passengers approach the launch site where a hot air balloon will take them high above Capay Valley farmlands on one of the first perfect flying days of the year.

Next year, pink cherry blossom petals in Robert T. Matsui Park—a grove called the Hanami Line—will blanket the Sacramento waterfront. They’ll fulfill the promise of Japanese Sacramentans’ nickname for the city: Sakuramento, after the cherry blossom.

California lawmakers passed the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, permanently protecting the iconic and imperiled species.

Jurassic World Live Tour, an exhilarating and unpredictable live, family entertainment experience that brings the wonder and thrills of Jurassic World to generations of fans, will be roaring into Sacramento for the first time this summer.

After 11 years with the Sunrise Recreation and Park District, Dave Mitchell is stepping down from his role in overseeing parks in the area, including 25 spots in Citrus Heights.

Sacramento is unveiling new public artwork this summer, featuring everything from bright murals to fresh tree groves. The nonprofit Sacramento Tree Foundation is leading one project that will plant groves of cherry blossom trees at Robert T. Matsui Park.

Ground has broken on a new $31 million rec center situated at Morse Community Park in Elk Grove. It is slated to open in early 2025.

Citrus Heights will hold its first Stars and Stripes Celebration on July 1. It will include a fireworks show, food, and entertainment for the whole family. There will also be a Kids Zone.

Officials from the Fair Oaks Parks and Recreation District got together in March to discuss a new vision for Phoenix Park. While upgrades and changes were solidified, construction likely will not begin for approximately two years.

The Cosumnes Community Service District will have a new manager. Phil Lewis is slated to start managing the Cosumnes Fire Department and Elk Grove Parks and Recreation on May 16.

The city of Folsom has hired Kelly Gonzalez as its next Parks & Recreation director, effective May 8. Gonzalez will oversee the operations of 48 parks, over 50 miles of paved trails, facilities, and recreation programs.

A Civil War reenactment that is planned for May 6 is meeting criticism with Elk Grove residents. Concerns over the promotion of racism and inaccurate historical accounts from one participating group have led people to voice concern at the most recent City Council meeting.

With Measure Q tax dollars within reach, the Galt City Council voted to use the funds to double Parks and Recreation staff, which will put them back at the numbers prior to 2019 budget cuts. The Council also rejected a bond proposal.

The Elk Grove Rotary Club, along with Fallen Leaf Tree Management and the Consumnes Community Services District, brought 20 new trees to Glenn Houde Park on April 20.

The Citrus Heights City Council last week agreed to begin a formal selection process to determine a name for the an unnamed green space area on Greenback Lane.

After months of anticipation, residents of Fair Oaks can finally see the new amphitheatre begin to take shape. Walls have gone up, and roof trusses are being installed in what will be the revamped outdoor stage, as well as an indoor blackbox theater.

The American Jazz, a riverboat that docked for years in San Francisco, is now more local. Citing a dispute in docking fees, the cruise will now start and stop in Sacramento. Previously, Sacramento was the final stop on the week-long cruise before heading back to the Bay Area.

California State Parks are inviting aspiring rangers and lifeguards to take an exam to become a peace officer cadet. Applicants may apply through June 10 and must be 21 or older, a licensed driver, and have at least 60 college credits.

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors heard from several residents requesting the annexation of Del Paso Park so it can receive appropriate upkeep and police response.

The North Natomas skate park honors Tyre Nichols, who grew up in Sacramento. The 29-year-old Black man was severely injured during a Jan. 7 confrontation with police and died of his injuries Jan. 10.

California State Parks invites individuals to “Live the Parks Life” as rangers or lifeguards in the nation’s largest state park system. Through June 10, individuals can apply for the State Park Peace Officer Cadet exams.

The 66-year-old Western Festival has been called off for the third year in a row due to a combination of financial, logistical, and security issues.

The Cosumnes Community Services District approved Elk Grove’s newest recreation center, located within Morse Community Park. It is scheduled to break ground this summer and open in late 2024.

Folsom is planning on adding nine new parks, starting with the 10.5-acre Prospector Park. The ultimate goal is for every Folsom resident to have a park within a 10-minute walk of their home.

With the blessing of the Board of Supervisors, a portion of the Dry Creek Parkway will be renamed in honor of community leader Robert (Bob) Bastian.