News Archives - American River Parkway Foundation

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. — ### —

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. — ### —

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 American River Parkway Foundation Responds to the Low Data Present in the Latest Point in Time Count

Up to $100,000 total will be distributed this year for one to three proposals that improve visitor experience on the American River Parkway SACRAMENTO, Calif. – There is a little more than one month left to submit a Letter of Intent for the TEICHERT-Parkway Fund, according to the American River Parkway Foundation (Parkway Foundation). The TEICHERT-Parkway Fund will provide up to $100,000 in funding for proposals this year that improve the visitor experience on the American River Parkway (Parkway). Letters of Intent are due June 15. The TEICHERT-Parkway Fund is funded through generous donations from TEICHERT through their gravel mining operations and administered by the Parkway Foundation. Proposals should align with education, recreation, access or Parkway enhancements. “Anyone can submit a proposal as long as the project occurs on or is connected to the American River Parkway,” said Dianna Poggetto, Parkway Foundation Executive Director. “This year we are especially looking for creative proposals that are innovative and link new technology to the Parkway’s visitor experience or enhance underutilized sections of the Parkway.” Invitations to submit a full proposal will be shared with some applicants upon review of the Letters of Intent. Funding for successful applicants will be distributed in November of this year. This is the second year for distribution of funding through the TEICHERT-Parkway Fund. In 2021, $20,000 was awarded to Romig Education Consultants to coordinate with local nonprofit organizations focused on Parkway education to develop a curriculum for Sacramento area schools that integrates the Parkway and meets current science standards. “This group has attempted to work together in many forms for many years and this funding allows someone to further focus and organize the coalition; someone who has the time and financial backing to do this important work,” said Phil Romig, Founder of Romig Education Consultants. “As of this date, we have five educational programs on the parkway and 14 schools from a local district working together to design a systematic approach.” Soil Born Farms was also awarded $19,500 in grant funding to establish access points to the Parkway from the organization’s campus. This will increase access to the Parkway and incorporate accessible walkways in the area. More details about the TEICHERT-Parkway Fund, including how to apply, can be found at www.ARPF.org/ParkwayFund. 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. — ### —

The American River Parkway Foundation’s second largest clean-up of the year focused on eight locations along the American River Parkway SACRAMENTO, Calif. – More than 400 volunteers removed over 13,450 pounds of trash and debris from the American River Parkway (Parkway) during the American River Parkway Foundation’s (Parkway Foundation) Spring Clean-Up on Saturday, April 23. That’s more than 33 pounds per volunteer. Spring Clean-Up is the Parkway Foundation’s second largest clean-up of the year and took place at eight locations along the Parkway this year, including: Discovery Park, Northgate Parkway Access, Cal Expo Parkway Access, Northrop Parkway Access, Howe Avenue River Access, Watt Avenue River Access, River Bend Park and the Upper Sunrise Recreation Area. This is the first time the clean-up has been held since 2019. “We love and appreciate our volunteers. These are families and involved community members that are giving up part of their Saturday to help us conserve the American River Parkway,” said Dianna Poggetto, Parkway Foundation Executive Director. “We would not be able to make the impact we do without their dedication.” Some of the most interesting items found during the clean-up: The Sacramento Bee newspaper dispenser Unicycle Toy gun Plastic barrel Shopping carts Electric scooters In addition to Spring Clean-Up, the Parkway Foundation hosts the Great American River Clean Up. This event takes place along all 23 miles of the Parkway and will be on September 17 this year. These large clean-ups are complemented by smaller group clean-ups the Parkway Foundation hosts year-round to form the Parkway Foundation’s Clean-Up Program. Last year, more than 138,000 pounds of trash were removed by Parkway Foundation volunteers through this 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. — ### —

Category: News

More Than 39,000 Pounds of Trash and Debris Removed by Volunteers During the Great American River Clean-Up

The American River Parkway Foundation Reacts to the Passage of the American River Parkway Ordinance

American River Parkway Foundation Responds to the Low Data Present in the Latest Point in Time Count

One Month Left to Submit a Letter of Intent for Funding from the TEICHERT-Parkway Fund

More Than 13,450 Pounds of Trash and Debris Removed by hundreds of Volunteers During Spring Clean-Up