Parkway Information
Sacramento’s Great Park: Though the American River Parkway is Sacramento’s “great park,’ it is not an “urban park.” Downriver of Nimbus Dam, The Parkway is 23 meandering miles of river and riparian habitat, intended for human and wildlife to share. Five thousand acres are devoted to nature and wildlife, to bicycling, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, horseback riding, walking, fishing, nature study, and bird-watching. The area abounds with native trees, lush vegetation, open space, and, best of all, few signs of the busy city surrounding it. Sacramento is privileged to enjoy such an unencumbered waterway, saved by forward-looking City and County leaders and community activists.
Purpose of the Parkway: When development encroachment began to threaten areas along the American River in the late 1950’s, the Parkway Concept was created to:
• Preserve natural open space, habitat and environmental quality within the urban area
• Accommodate the demand for recreational pursuits in a natural environment
• Mitigate adverse effects of activities and facilities adjacent to the Parkway.
Parkway Protection: The Parkway is protected by the Parkway Plan (adopted in 1985), which is a part of the General Plan of the County of Sacramento. Every single one of the 23 miles of the Parkway is addressed in the Plan, describing resources of the Parkway, aesthetics,water flows, water quality, flood control, habitat protection, health of the fish, recreation use, non-recreational use, public access, commercial activities, architectural standards, building setbacks, and many other considerations.
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