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Over 1,300 members of the Sacramento community joined in the largest annual clean-up of the American River Parkway.   SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Dentures, golf clubs and a hand forklift were just some of the items removed from the American River Parkway (Parkway) during the American River Parkway Foundation’s (Parkway Foundation) 19th Annual Great American River Clean-Up on Saturday, September 17. In all, 1,308 volunteers removed 39,645 pounds of trash. That’s more than 30 pounds per volunteer.   The Great American River Clean-Up is the largest annual clean-up of the Parkway. This year, there were over 20 locations stretching from Discovery Park to Black Miners Bar in Lake Natoma. Families, groups and individuals of all ages and sizes attended the clean-up, removing clothing, batteries, plastic, styrofoam and other trash and debris.   “The American River Parkway is a true urban jewel. The American River Parkway Foundation is able to accomplish what we do on the Parkway because of our volunteers,” said Dianna Poggetto, Parkway Foundation Executive Director. “Thank you to the businesses, groups, families and individuals that dedicated part of their Saturday to make the Great American River Clean-Up a success.”   Some of the most interesting items found during the clean-up this year: Dentures A car door Nice pair of dress shoes Hand forklift Pellet Rifle Golf clubs Pickaxe   The Great American River Clean-Up takes place every year in conjunction with the California Coastal Cleanup, normally held the third Saturday of each September. It is part of the Parkway Foundation’s overall Parkway Clean-Ups program.   More details about Parkway Foundation programs can be found at www.ARPF.org/Programs   About the American River Parkway Foundation The American River Parkway Foundation (Parkway Foundation) is the only nonprofit organization focused on active conservation of all 23 miles of the American River Parkway (Parkway). Through managing programs like volunteer clean-ups, infrastructure improvements, trail maintenance, fire mitigation and education, the Parkway Foundation leads and inspires the community to conserve and nurture the Parkway as a unique, accessible resource for everyone to enjoy. Learn more at www.ARPF.org.   — ### —   Continue Reading

  SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The American River Parkway Foundation released the below statement regarding the passage of a Sacramento County ordinance focused on illegal camping on the American River Parkway. The ordinance was passed 5-0 by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors at the August 23rd meeting:   “While we applaud the passage of the ordinance toughening restrictions on illegal camping on the American River Parkway, we urge Sacramento County leaders to continue to make the development of shelter and wrap-around services for the unhoused a priority. Enforcement, while important, doesn’t address the root cause and won’t be effective without these other two key elements.   “There are 2,000-3,000 illegal campers on the Parkway. We’re experiencing environmental and humanitarian crises we’ve never seen before. But focusing only on enforcement will lead to whack-a-mole and never truly address the issue.   “More shelter space and services will help the unhoused get off the streets. The American River Parkway Foundation remains committed to helping the County with this undertaking.”   Dianna Poggetto Executive Director American River Parkway Foundation   About the American River Parkway Foundation The American River Parkway Foundation (Parkway Foundation) is the only nonprofit organization focused on active conservation of all 23 miles of the American River Parkway (Parkway). Through managing programs like volunteer clean-ups, infrastructure improvements, trail maintenance, fire mitigation and education, the Parkway Foundation leads and inspires the community to conserve and nurture the Parkway as a unique, accessible resource for everyone to enjoy. Learn more at www.ARPF.org.   — ### — Continue Reading

  The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors will vote on a Parkway Ordinance on August 10 at 2 p.m.   If passed, the ordinance will toughen restrictions and consequences of actions on the Parkway, including illegal camping, open flames, use of generators and combustible liquids, construction and maintenance of structures, and modifications to the land.   Read more about the ordinance.   The Parkway Foundation supports this measure as one part of the solution to addressing the humanitarian and environmental crises on the Parkway. However, this ordinance won’t be effective without the other essential element: ensuring there is shelter and wrap-around services for the unhoused in the County, especially those living on the Parkway.   We urge you to also show your support in at least one of the below ways: Attend the Board meeting at 700 H Street in Downtown Sacramento and participate in public comment. Call into the meeting at (916) 875-2500 and make a public comment. Send an email to and/or call your Supervisor. Templates can be found here.   Even if the ordinance is approved, the Parkway Foundation will continue to work with the County on addressing homelessness.   Thank you for learning more about getting involved. Let us know if you have any questions.   CONTACT INFORMATION FOR SACRAMENTO COUNTY SUPERVISORS Supervisor Don Notolli, Sacramento County District 5 – Chair Supervisor Richard Desmond, Sacramento County District 3 – Vice Chair Supervisor Phil Serna, Sacramento County District 1 Supervisor Patrick Kennedy, Sacramento County District 2 Supervisor Sue Frost, Sacramento County District 4   CC on the email: BoardClerk@saccounty.net   Continue Reading

Thank you to the many businesses, individuals and volunteers that came together for the Parkway Foundation’s 2022 Summer Solstice Dinner & Auction!Together, you helped raise over $110,000 to support the American River Parkway Foundation’s efforts to return the Parkway to the full community. During Summer Solstice, we debuted our new video that highlights the plight of the Parkway, details next steps, promotes the Voice of the Parkway Coalition and calls for all concerned community members to join.We can and should do more for the Parkway and ALL residents of Sacramento County.See the video and sign-up for the Coalition —–Very special thank you to our sponsors: Bobcat Sponsor (Presenting)River Otter SponsorDeer SponsorsDelfino Madden O’Malley Coyle & Koewler LLPFive Star BankJackson PropertiesJP Morgan Chase & Co.Taylor & WileyJack Rabbit SponsorsCapital Nephrology Medical GroupCunnigham EngineeringEason & TamboriniThe Law Offices of Deon R. SteinPG&EPacific Midwest Mortgage & AdvisoryPlatinum AdvisorsPropp Christensen Caniglia LLPScott Wolcott & Carmah HatchSimas Floor & Design CompanySMUDTeichertBeer/Wine SponsorDeeringer Wealth ManagementMedia Sponsors                       Continue Reading

Locations chosen for counting do not reveal the whole crisis on the American River Parkway    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The latest data from the Point in Time Count (PIT Count) does not show the true picture of the homelessness crisis on the American River Parkway (Parkway), according to the American River Parkway Foundation (Parkway Foundation). Seven sites on the Parkway were surveyed, resulting in only 594 illegal campers being included in the PIT Count. All of those were along the portion of the Parkway that runs through the City of Sacramento.    “The American River Parkway is ground zero for the homelessness crisis in Sacramento County. Even such a small sample size shows the large percentage of unhoused individuals that are illegally camping in the Parkway,” said Dustin Luton, president of the Parkway Foundation Board of Directors. “Imagine what the count would have showed if the whole Parkway had been included.”    The Parkway stretches 23 miles from the confluence with the Sacramento River up to the Nimbus Dam. Less than 10 miles of the Parkway runs through the City of Sacramento.    Impacts of illegal camping on the Parkway are evident by the number of fires that have occurred near encampments this year, including the 22-acre fire near Campus Commons, the 5-acre fire that threatened homes in Carmichael, another 5-acre fire that threatened homes near Guy West Bridge and, just yesterday, a 16-acre fire in River Bend Park. Other environmental impacts include soil compaction, environmental pollution and disturbance of wildlife habitat.    “Thanks to the efforts of volunteers that are on the Parkway on a regular basis, including our Mile Stewards, we have been able to track the illegal camp sites on the Parkway and determine the areas of high concentration,” said Dianna Poggetto, executive director of the Parkway Foundation. “We recognize the difficulty that can be present with gathering enough volunteers for an effort like the Point in Time Count. We want to bring awareness to the fact that this issue is much greater than these numbers show, which is why it’s important our leaders take action now.”    The Parkway Foundation formed the Voice of the Parkway Coalition to help Sacramento County address the homelessness crisis. This includes working with business leaders – like Five Star Bank – to help find land for shelters. The Voice of the Parkway Coalition also mobilizes concerned community members to urge local leaders and municipal employees to develop an overall homeless plan that includes social services and clear goals and timelines.     More details about the Voice of the Parkway Coalition can be found at www.ARPF.org/VoiceOfTheParkway.    About the American River Parkway Foundation  The American River Parkway Foundation (Parkway Foundation) is the only nonprofit organization focused on active conservation of all 23 miles of the American River Parkway (Parkway). Through managing programs like volunteer clean-ups, infrastructure improvements, trail maintenance, fire mitigation and education, the Parkway Foundation leads and inspires the community to conserve and nurture the Parkway as a unique, accessible Continue Reading