Sacramento County Parks & Recreation Digest

The Rio Linda Elverta Recreation and Parks District has announced a vacancy on its board of directors. The board is looking to appoint a new director who will serve until Dec. 1 unless elected to a two-year term in the November general election.

Residents can now use their library cards to check out day passes for free access to more than 200 state parks. The move is part of a collaboration between California State Parks and the California State Library to provide more equitable outdoor access for all Californians.

As part of its Reexamining Our Past Initiative, California State Parks is seeking input on a proposal to change the way history is interpreted at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park. The effort will provide visitors with more inclusive and historically accurate information.

Emerging from pandemic closure, Carmichael Koobs Nature Area celebrated its first open day in more than two years. Part of the old La Sierra High School, the fenced habitat is on Engle Road.

Fed up with illegal parkland camping, the American River Parkway Foundation is meeting with elected policymakers. “We hope to start a conversation that will result in solutions,” says Foundation executive Dianna Pognotti.

Hiring is under way for the new Crumbl expected to open next month in Natomas. The dessert store will be located at 3661 N. Freeway Blvd, at the Promenade at Sacramento Gateway shopping center. He said those interested in working can apply online.

The Cordova Recreation & Park District has elected its board on an “at-large” basis since its founding in 1958. To promote geographic diversity and comply with the California Voting Rights Act, CRPD’s board will transition to “by-district” elections.

The Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District marked the opening of the new Gum Ranch Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 13.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many plans were halted, including an approximately $40 million art park and adjacent parking garage by Crocker Art Museum. Nearly two years later, the project has new life.

Yosemite National Park plans to start a new reservation system in which winners of a lottery get first crack at making summer 2022 campsite reservations at North Pines Campground.

Elk Grove’s newest central park and nature area, The Preserve, is now open to the public. It includes trails and fitness areas.

Sacramento recently received $12 million in state funds for the American River Parkway. Improvements will include a new building for concessions and kayak and paddle board rentals at Sutter’s Landing; a boat launch and restrooms at Woodlake Gateway; an observation deck and outdoor classroom at Camp Pollock; and planning for the Two Rivers Trail.

The Preserve, a new wildlife habitat, park and playground in Elk Grove, is expected to open on Nov. 6. The 28-acre site is adjacent to the aquatic center.

Folsom’s Negro Bar is a popular spot for water recreation, but its name has been considered problematic. A petition is now being circulated to change it.

Slightly changing up tradition, Folsom has modified the city’s park naming policy, providing new guidelines for small, midsize and large parks.

The Carmichael Recreation and Park District Master Plan Update is available for public view, and residents are encouraged to provide feedback and input at the Oct. 21 advisory board meeting via Zoom at 6 p.m.

The 2021 Ironman competition is debuting in Sacramento. Starting on Oct. 21, 3,500 male athletes will compete in the area, with a shot at a $50,000 prize and a chance to go on to the national competition.

A new outdoor fitness destination is open at Oak Park Community Center, with an emphasis on exercise equipment for older adults. The new area contains 11 different exercise machines. Free classes will also be offered later this fall.

The City Life Sayonara Center, which opened in 2006, is thriving and healthy despite COVID restrictions and other challenges through the years. Every day the center serves approximately 45 children, who receive a meal along with homework help and fun activities.

On Sept. 20, Pyramid Peak Park opened in Rancho Cordova. The city celebrated the opening, making it the seventh new park to open in the area over the past five years.

The U.S. Forest Service is reopening most of its California forests two days earlier than planned, as more firefighting resources from across the country were made available.

The Caldor Fire pushed deeper into the Lake Tahoe basin Tuesday, as firefighters worked to protect structures and control the mega-fire. New evacuation order were issued for Alpine County and Nevada’s Douglas County.

With fires roaring across California, the USDA Forest Service is closing all 20 million acres of the state’s national forests to public access for two weeks. The Forest Service said the closure will extend through at least Sept. 17.

Assemblyman Jim Cooper recently donated $700K to build new turf at Walker Park. The park hosts local soccer and football teams.

Kids, brides-to-be, job-seekers, and car enthusiasts may be interested in several events coming up in the Sunrise MarketPlace, beginning next month.

Extreme Martial Arts Center in Citrus Heights upholds the tradition of martial arts in a modern facility.

The American River Parkway has been a popular place for locals and tourists since the 1960s, with some estimations ranking it as more visited than Yosemite. But fires, pollution and illegal camping jeopardize its future.

The weather is still warm and it’s time for new adventures in Sacramento—starting with a brand-new outdoor roller rink.

From river rafting to outdoor dance events, there’s still plenty of time left for summer adventures around Sacramento.

Seven years after Taylor Wells, a local high school student, proposed a public pool for North Natomas, she is now seeing her dream become a reality.

The Cordova Community Pool was just opened in June, but it closes for the season on Aug. 6. This weekend is a great time to visit this brand-new aquatic facility.

The California Capital Airshow is back after a break due to the pandemic. Happening September 24-26, the show at Mather Field will include the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds and F-35 Lightning jet demonstration teams.