American River Parkway - Sacramento, California - USA

A Vision Born from Crisis

The story of the American River Parkway begins not with grand planning, but with a grassroots movement sparked by immediate threat. On February 28, 1961, a group of concerned citizens gathered in a community room at the Fulton-El Camino Park District in Sacramento. They had learned that the Sacramento County Planning Commission had approved placing a subdivision within 125 feet of the Lower American River – a decision that would have forever altered the character of this vital waterway.

That meeting led to the formation of the Save the American River Association (SARA), which became the driving force behind what we know today as the American River Parkway. For over six decades, SARA has served as the primary advocate for preserving and enhancing this natural treasure.

The vision for protecting the American River actually predates SARA by more than a decade. In the late 1940s, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. proposed a comprehensive parkway plan for the Sacramento River and its tributaries. His updated 1947 plan called for recreation facilities, public parking, and controlled development adjacent to the parkway through local planning and zoning.

Flood Control Creates Opportunity

The completion of Folsom and Nimbus Dams in 1955 fundamentally changed the character of the Lower American River, providing the flood control necessary to make the parkway concept viable. Folsom Dam, a 340-foot-high concrete gravity dam flanked by earthen wing dams, created Folsom Lake with a capacity of nearly 1.1 million acre-feet. Seven miles downstream, Nimbus Dam creates Lake Natoma and regulates water releases to maintain steady flows in the American River.

This engineering transformation of the river system provided the stable conditions that made large-scale recreational development possible while preserving the river's natural character for miles downstream.

What Makes It Special

The American River Parkway preserves approximately 5,000 acres of open space and wildlife habitat in the middle of a highly urbanized area. This remarkable preserve offers an extraordinary variety of experiences within the Sacramento metropolitan region.

The Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail serves as the parkway's spine—a 32-mile paved pathway that connects Folsom to Discovery Park in downtown Sacramento. The trail continues through historic Leidesdorff Ranch, a 35,000-acre cattle and wheat ranch once owned by William Alexander Leidesdorff Jr., the first African American diplomat in U.S. history.

Natural Diversity within the parkway is remarkable for an urban setting. More than 70 acres of riparian woodland adjacent to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center have been preserved as a nature study area, where more than 100 bird species can be sighted during the course of a year. The parkway supports over 40 species of native and non-native fish, including fall-run Chinook salmon and steelhead trout.

Recreation Access throughout the parkway includes multiple entry points, picnic areas, fishing spots, and boat launches. The lower American River has been designated as a "Recreational River" under both the California Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1972) and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1980), providing state and national recognition and additional protection.

Key Destinations Along the Parkway

Discovery Park marks the western terminus where the American River meets the Sacramento River. This 302-acre park serves as the trailhead for the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail and hosts major festivals, including the annual Aftershock Festival.

Ancil Hoffman Park showcases both natural beauty and cultural heritage. The park features ancient oaks, reconstructed Maidu Native American homes, the Ancil Hoffman Golf Course, and the renowned Effie Yeaw Nature Center.

River Bend Park encompasses 444 acres and represents one of the original three areas purchased by Sacramento County between 1961 and 1964 to establish the parkway. The park was renamed from Goethe Park in 2008 to distance itself from controversial historical associations.

Lake Natoma and Folsom Lake provide the parkway system's eastern anchors, offering extensive water recreation opportunities and connecting to additional state park facilities.

Challenges and Conservation

With more than 8 million visits annually, the Lower American is the most heavily used river for recreation in California. This popularity brings both benefits and challenges to the parkway system.

The parkway faces ongoing pressures from urban encroachment, funding shortfalls, and the complex needs of serving a diverse metropolitan population. The American River Parkway Foundation works to address these challenges through environmental education, stewardship programs, and volunteer opportunities, with a vision for the parkway to become one of the nation's premier urban natural parks.

A Living Legacy

Today's American River Parkway represents more than half a century of community advocacy, environmental stewardship, and careful planning. What began as a grassroots effort to prevent inappropriate development has evolved into a sophisticated model of urban natural preservation.

The parkway demonstrates that with sustained citizen engagement and thoughtful planning, significant natural areas can be maintained even within rapidly growing metropolitan regions. For 50 years, SARA members have been the foremost policy advocates for preserving and enhancing what has become the magnificent American River Parkway.

As Sacramento continues to grow and change, the American River Parkway remains a testament to the power of community vision and the enduring value of preserving natural spaces for future generations. Whether you're cycling the full length of the Jedediah Smith Trail, watching salmon runs in the fall, or simply enjoying a quiet moment by the water, you're experiencing the fruit of decades of dedicated advocacy and stewardship.

The parkway continues to evolve, with ongoing projects including habitat restoration, trail improvements, and educational programs that ensure this crown jewel of Sacramento's park system will continue to serve and inspire visitors for generations to come.