Parkway CONNECT
Building Connections to the Parkway
The American River Parkway is a regional treasure, offering miles of trails, scenic landscapes, and opportunities for recreation, education, and relaxation. Yet, a 2018 survey titled Perceptions of the Parkwayrevealed gaps in access and awareness: only 27% of respondents felt the Parkway was “easy to access or get to,” and just 50% of those living within 5 miles of the Parkway had ever visited it. These results highlight barriers that prevent many families and individuals from experiencing all that the Parkway has to offer.
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Bringing People to the Parkway
Through Parkway CONNECT, we aim to bridge these gaps by providing enriching recreation opportunities that welcome everyone—families and individuals alike—to explore the Parkway. This program focuses on reducing barriers to entry, such as lack of awareness, transportation challenges, or uncertainty about where to begin. By creating events and activities tailored for diverse groups, Parkway CONNECT helps build a stronger connection between our community and this regional gem.
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Partnering for Impact
Parkway CONNECT brings people to the Parkway by collaborating with trusted nonprofit organizations that help engage participants and foster a sense of community. These nonprofits play a crucial role in building trust and encouraging diverse groups to join in Parkway activities.
To ensure enriching experiences, we also work with skilled activity partners to provide programs such as fishing, archery, hiking, biking, arts and crafts, and more. Importantly, we do not charge our nonprofit partners to participate in Parkway CONNECT. Instead, we seek grant funding and other donations to cover the costs of activity partners, making it possible to offer these opportunities at no cost to the community. By combining the outreach power of nonprofits with the expertise of activity providers, Parkway CONNECT creates welcoming, barrier-free opportunities for everyone to enjoy the Parkway.
To learn more, please reach out to us at info@arpf.orgor call our office at (916) 486-2773.
