Department of Parks and Recreation is Awarded Grants for Bikeway and Walking Trail

City of Sacramento to Receive $365,000 in State and Federal Grants

Sacramento California, March 12, 2002 – The State of California has awarded two separate grants totaling $365,000 to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Under the provisions of Proposition 12, which was passed by California voters last year, the State of California’s Department of Parks and Recreation has awarded $245,000 for the development of the North Laguna Creek Wildlife Bike Trail Project. In addition, the federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, a program of the Federal Highway Administration and administered at the state level by the Department of Parks and Recreation, has awarded $120,000 to the North Laguna Wildlife Area Walking Trail Project. Construction of both projects will begin later this year.

The North Laguna Creek Wildlife Bike Trail Project will develop a Class I bike trail along the North Laguna Creek Parkway between Center Parkway and Bruceville Road in the south area of Sacramento. The project will include maintaining or restoring native grasses, drought tolerant native and ornamental trees, shrubs and groundcover in the existing flood plain and wetland area. The project will also include interpretive signage that will provide educational opportunities for local residents and visitors to the area.

“The North Laguna Creek Wildlife Bike Trail will provide a necessary connection between two planning areas, the Jacinto Creek Planning Area and the Laguna Creek Planning Area,” said City Councilmember Bonnie Pannell. “The bike trail represents a vital component to the City of Sacramento both as a recreational element and as an alternative transportation mode route between south Sacramento and north Sacramento. The bike trail will provide future linkages to the planned light rail stations at Meadowview Road, Franklin Boulevard, and College Square.” Pannell also said that, “We’ve worked long and hard to get this grant, and I am very, very pleased that the State has seen the tremendous value this bike trail and wildlife area walking trail project will have on Sacramento.”

This bike trail will provide a critical link to Sacramento’s south city bike trail system by connecting the developing communities between Interstate 5 and State Route 99. The Jacinto Creek Planning Area (JCPA) to the east of the project area, has bike trail development master planned for the entire stretch from the Sacramento City limits to Bruceville Road. The JCPA bikeway begins at the new Jacinto Creek Neighborhood park site and winds its way through a wetlands area to Bruceville Road near the border of the City of Elk Grove.

Crossing over Bruceville Road, one enters the proposed project area at the North Laguna Creek wetlands. These wetlands begin and continue through North Laguna Creek Park to Franklin Boulevard. However, the North Laguna Creek bike trail only begins at Center Parkway and continues on Franklin Boulevard. This stretch of wetlands between Bruceville Road and Center Parkway is missing this important bike trail connection. The bike trail link will connect Jacinto Creek Park and the very popular North Laguna Creek Park, which has a heavy regional patronage.

The North Laguna Wildlife Area Walking Trail Project will not only enhance overall bike trail opportunities, but will also have an immediate impact on the variety of recreational opportunities for surrounding residents. Currently, residents of the general area use this passage as a walking trail, however it is in disrepair and is not an overall attractive feature for the North Laguna Wildlife Area. When the passage is improved and transformed into a nicer walking trail and serves as an interpretive facility, it will provide visitors and residents a better view to the wildlife area.

This will be a unique facility. There is no other facility of this type within the City of Sacramento. This walking trail will be a link for residents south of the wildlife area to a community park, parkway, and bike trail. The project, therefore, will enhance the existing pathway into an interpretive walking trail, allow residents to feel safe using the facility, and will provide a better mode for residents of the area to reach nearby recreational facilities.

The construction of the wildlife area walking trail will benefit a vast number of residents and naturalists within the City of Sacramento. It will provide the immediate residents around the North Laguna Wildlife Area an opportunity to stand and admire this wonderful treasure and all the wildlife that inhabit this preserve. North Laguna Creek Park to the north of the wildlife area is the only park in the North Laguna area of the City of Sacramento. The park already has a high amount of use, as it is the only recreational facility in the North Laguna area. Trail improvements within the Wildlife Area, which is adjacent to the park, would allow for even more visitors.

“The North Laguna Wildlife Area Walking Trail will be easily accessible to all who wish to use it,” said City Councilmember Bonnie Pannell, “and it’s within walking distance and is directly connected to many of the surrounding neighborhoods, too.” Pannell also said that what is most important about this project is the connections it makes to other park and recreation facilities. The proposed walking trail would connect neighborhoods to a community park, parkway, natural/wildlife area, and a citywide bike trail system.