Morrison Creek Revitalization Study

PROJECT BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW

The Morrison Creek Revitalization Project (MCRP) began in 2016 by leaders of the Avondale Glen Elder Neighborhood Association (AGENA) and the Capital Regional Organizing Project (CROP). What began as a cleanup effort grew into a community effort to revitalize the creek. The community engaged in a year-long planning process to determine goals and outcomes for Morrison Creek. Morrison Creek runs between Power Inn Road and 65th Street and through the Avondale Glen Elder neighborhood and is located adjacent to Sim Park, the George Sim Community Center, and Elder Creek Elementary School.

Project’s goals include:

Create a community asset in the Morrison Creek corridor
Restore some of the natural environment along Morrison Creek
Develop community stewardship for Morrison Creek
Create an active transportation route for community use in the Morrison Creek corridor
Strengthen connection between community and institutional partners
Increase opportunities for community leadership
Enhance connectivity between schools, parks, and other community assets adjacent to Morrison Creek
Maintain community stability for current residents

In 2019, the City of Sacramento received a $697,000 grant through the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Urban Streams Restoration Program (USRP) to revitalize Morrison Creek. The City is currently undertaking a feasibility study of the creek corridor between Power Inn Road and 63rd Street to conduct engineering evaluation and develop a plan for Morrison Creek that may include: alternatives for improved bicycle and pedestrian (shared-use trail) connectivity between schools, a neighborhood park, community center and local organizations serving the community; improved crossing of the 65th Street Expressway and Logan Street; restoration of the natural environment along the creek corridor at the north end of George Sim Park; and interpretive elements to educate the public on the importance of floodplains for ecological diversity and river health. The study will be used as a planning document to assist in programming future improvements to the creek as both a functional stormwater management system, and an aesthetically enjoyable, educational community gathering space offering comfortable connections to nearby amenities.

LEARN MORE

To learn more about the Morrison Creek Revitalization Project, click the link below.

Project Background

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

On November 9, 2022, the City of Sacramento hosted a community listening session about the Morrison Creek Revitalization Study, wherein participants were provided an opportunity to share their thoughts on community goals, trail alignment, trail connections and amenities as well as share other opportunities to tailor the project to the community’s context and consider potential challenges to creating a 1.2-mile trail along Morrison Creek.

The project team presented information about the project background, current phase, schedule, and scope and then facilitated a community inquiry session.

A mailer with the listening session information was mailed to over 2000 community members living along the trail alignment three weeks before the meeting.

The listening session was organized as a formal presentation, a community input session, a set of exhibits, and an opportunity to provide input on how the proposed community goals from the previous study can be addressed with this phase of the Morrison Creek Revitalization project. Participants were given a blank post-it note and encouraged to visit the information stations displayed around the room, using their post-it to provide feedback on the 8 community goals, display boards, and maps. The community goals are:

Create a community asset in the Morrison Creek corridor
Restore some of the natural environment along Morrison Creek
Develop community stewardship for Morrison Creek
Create an active transportation route for community use in the Morrison Creek corridor
Strengthen the connection between community and institutional partners
Increase opportunities for community leadership
Enhance connectivity between schools, parks, and other community assets adjacent to Morrison Creek
Maintain community stability for current residents

The listening session presentation ended with community members having more time to ask the project team questions and provide additional thoughts on the interactive exhibits posted around the room. Additionally, the closing presentation slide displayed project team members contact information. The project's next phase is set to take place in February 2023. During this time feasibility options will be developed. The community will be able to stay up to date with the status of the project on the project website as well as email notifications if they sign up to receive them.

View a copy of the first community workshop presentation.

Second Community Meeting:

On Thursday, June 23, 2022, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., the City of Sacramento hosted a community workshop as part of the Morrison Creek Revitalization Study, wherein participants were provided an opportunity to learn about project design updates and share their feedback. Attendees were asked to review and provide input on community goals, trail alignment, trail connections, amenities, and how well the proposed design for the 1.2-mile trail along Morrison Creek might best fit their needs.

The project team identified over 135 key stakeholders within the Morrison Creek Project Area. This included unique contacts spanning community members, local school stakeholders, advocacy organizations, public safety, environmental organizations, and more. The project team invited stakeholders' representatives via email and phone to register for the workshop on Eventbrite. Additionally, the project team used a flyer and lawn signs to promote the event. The flyer was promoted both in person and on social media.

Finally, on May 25th, the project team hosted a pop-up workshop at Will C. Wood Middle School's Multi-Cultural Day. Here over 400 individuals and families attended. Kids and families of all demographics and ages enjoyed cultural dances, food, and games. The project team set up an exhibit to meet community members at the event. The project team spoke about the Morrison Creek Revitalization project, answered any questions, and invited guests to the June 22nd workshop. The project team distributed over 200 cards promoting the workshop.

A total of five community members attended the meeting, which was located at the George Sim Community Center adjacent to the project site.

community meetings

The purpose of the community workshop was to share information with the public and solicit input from members of the community in attendance on the Morrison Creek Revitalization Study, specifically as it enters the planning phase. Representatives from the City of Sacramento and the project consultant team were available to discuss the project and answer questions.

The workshop began with a presentation from the project team and a set of informational and interactive exhibits around the workshop venue. Attendees had the opportunity to provide input on how the proposed community goals from the previous study can be addressed with this phase of the Morrison Creek Revitalization project. Participants were provided with an input form and encouraged to share their feedback on the suggested ideas shown during the presentation.

Two (2) input forms were completed by attendees during the workshop. Below were comments left on the input forms:
1. Do you think this trail alignment offers the best path for the community? If not, what modifications would you like to see?

It appears to stop at a school, end at a school, and have a touch point at the park. ALL are areas that require and would benefit from safe, yielding pedestrian and bike crosses.

2. Would you use the trail as it is designed? If not, then why. If yes, then how?

Evening, casual walks with my wife and dog.

3. The project team has created several street crossings to provide a seamless trail and connections to neighborhoods and other destinations (park, community center school). Are there any additional crossings that the team should consider? If yes, then where? Any removed? If yes, then which ones? Create an active transportation route for community use in the Morrison Creek corridor.

No responses.

4. The project team has also created several creek crossings to provide a seamless trail and connections to neighborhoods and other destinations (park, community center school).

Are there any additional creek crossings that the team should consider? If yes, then where? Any removed? If yes, then which ones?
No responses.

5. Any other opportunities to make the trail a strong asset to the community?

Community orchards/food forests, habitat holes at the water, harvesting ecosystem, stewardship in adjacent neighborhoods, and larger drainage area.

6. Any concerns about the trail?

Connectivity to bike trails – how will they come and go?
The street crossing at 65th street.

7. Any suggestions on how the community can assist in the success of the trail?

No responses.

The project team will begin reviewing comments from the two workshops and begin refining the concepts.

View a copy of the second community workshop presentation.

GET INVOLVED

Scheduling information for future community meetings will be posted here.

CONTACT

James Kragh, P.E.
Associate Civil Engineer
Public Works – Engineering Services
Funding and Project Development
jmkragh@cityofsacramento.org