Sacramento City Council approves updated Parkway Plan - final hurdle: State Legislature By Bill Dillinger ARNHA Associate Board Member Retired Public Information Chief, California State Parks
With unanimous approval by the Sacramento City Council on Thursday November 6, the updated Parkway Plan has only one more hurdle - approval by the State Legislature.
Supporters hope to get this done as urgency legislation early next year.
A couple of dozen supporters attended the brief City Council hearing; afterwards about half of them walked over to Fuzio's Bistro for a celebratory dinner .
The Bureau of Reclamation along with the Sacramento Water Forum and the County Regional Parks Department have begun a multi-year project to help the ailing American River salmon fishery recover by providing more spawning grounds for the prized Chinooks at the Sailor Bar Recreation Area across from the Nimbus Fish Hatchery.
Trucks laden with tons
of gravel dumped their loads in the river in the first phase of the project, which was completed Oct.
2. Parks Natural Resources Specialist Mary Maret said the gravel would
replenish the nests (redds) essential for the natural spawning of
salmon and steelhead, according to an article in "Conduit," County
Municipal Services Agency newsletter.
"The small gravel that
used to be in the area has washed downstream over the years and Folsom
Dam prevents new gravel from washing down naturally," Mary said.
"Artificially replacing the gravel helps maintain good spawning areas."
Parkway Is Home for Urban Garden Article and Photos by Guy Galante, Soil Born Educational Director
American River Ranch
Soil Born's American River Ranch Urban Garden opened its farm stand to the public May 31. The farm stand will remain open until December 20, and will reopen May 2009.
Located on the Parkway in Rancho Cordova, this urban gardenis the newest Soil Born Urban Agriculture and Education project in the Sacramento region. Soil Born Farms' mission is to create an urban agriculture and education project that empowers youth and adults to discover and participate in a local food system that encourages healthy living, nurtures the environment and grows a sustainable community. The mission is achieved by focusing on 4 main goals: local organic food production and distribution, community education, food access for all, and reconnecting with the land. It all began in 2000 Co-founders Shawn Harrison and Marco Franciosa started their Soil Born farm on Hurley Way in 2000 to tap into the growing public concern about the environment, obesity, fuel costs and food prices, and the surging movement to find healthy, affordable food closeby.In 2003 it became a non-profit project, and now they assist other individual farmers and groups in setting up farm stands. In 2008 they were able to begin farming in the Parkway location in Rancho Cordova. Farm stand open Saturdays Soil Born is currently farming 5 of their 25 leased acres on historically farmed land at the American River Ranch. The food is distributed to community members, local restaurants and farm stands around the Sacramento area. The farm stand at the American River Ranch is open Saturdays between 8 AM and 1 PM to sell delicious farm-fresh produce. We encourage you to bike or walk to the ranch and to bring your own shopping bag.The ranch is located at 2140 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. (Click for Google map) Youth Corps Not only does the farm offer affordable quality organic produce, the organization operates youth programs at the site for students between the ages of 13 to 18 who get hands-on experience working alongside the farm staff. They plant and harvest food, then learn about healthy eating and cooking by preparing meals with the food they grow. In addition, youth are trained to set up and run the farm stand and learn valuable life-skills in the process. They also participate in restoration and stewardship projects like oak tree planting and clean-up projects along the American River.
Volunteer Opportunities Both the American River Ranch and Soil Born’s other smaller farm site at 3000 Hurley Way, in Sacramento offer volunteer opportunities for folks of all ages. They also host seasonal events, workshops, and meetings and conferences. We encourage you to participate in farm-hosted events to enjoy life in the country without leaving the city! To learn more about the farm, markets, volunteer opportunities, and the youth education projects, visit www.soilborn.org.
