American River Parkway facts for kids
The American River Parkway is a super long park that stretches about 32 miles (51 km) along the American River. It runs through Sacramento County, California. This parkway has lots of smaller parks and places where you can launch boats. You can get to it from different exits off U.S. Route 50 in Sacramento County.
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American River Parkway Foundation: Helping the Park
The American River Parkway Foundation is a group that helps take care of the parkway. They are a non-profit organization. This means they use money they get from donations to help the park. Their goal is to "support the preservation and enjoyment of the American River Parkway." They do this by teaching people about nature. They also help organize volunteer chances to clean up and care for the park.
Their main office is in the William B. Pond Recreation Area. This area is in Carmichael, California. A new office building was finished in 2004. It is a single-story building. It helps the foundation manage all its activities.
Cool Parks Along the American River Parkway
Discovery Park: Where Rivers Meet
Discovery Park is a big park, about 302 acres (1.2 km²). It is located right outside Downtown Sacramento. This park is special because it's where the American River meets the Sacramento River. You can reach it by taking the Garden Highway exit off Interstate 5.
Discovery Park is the start of the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail. This trail is 32 miles (51 km) long. It goes all the way to Folsom, California. The trail passes through the historic Leidesdorff Ranch. At Discovery Park, you can also play softball. There is an archery range for shooting arrows. You can have picnics and use the boat ramps too.
Ancil Hoffman Park: Nature and History
Ancil Hoffman Park is another large park. It covers about 396 acres (1.6 km²). You can find it in Carmichael, California. To get there, take the Watt Avenue exit off Highway 50. The park is named after a Sacramento County Supervisor. He also managed the famous boxer Max Baer.
This park has many very old oak trees. The American River borders it on two sides. You can see cool things like reconstructed Maidu Native American homes. There is also the Ancil Hoffman Golf Course. The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is a great place to learn about animals. You might spot wild turkeys, deer, and hawks here.
River Bend Park: A Historic Spot
River Bend Park is a county park that is 444 acres (1.8 km²) big. It is located near a bend in the river. This park is in Rancho Cordova, California. You can get there by taking the Bradshaw Road exit off Highway 50.
This park used to be called Goethe Park. But its name was changed in 2008. River Bend Park is one of the oldest parks in Sacramento County. It was one of the first areas the county bought for the parkway. This happened between 1961 and 1964. It is also on the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail. It is just across the Harold Richey Bicycle Bridge from William B. Pond Recreation Area.
William B. Pond Recreation Area: Fishing Fun
William B. Pond Recreation Area is a county park. It is at the end of Arden Way in Carmichael, California. This park is also along the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail. It is right across the Harold Richey Bicycle Bridge from River Bend Park.
This area has a special pond made for fishing. The pond is stocked with trout and catfish. You can also find bass, bluegill, and tule perch living there naturally. The park has many different natural areas to explore. These include riverside forests, open fields, warm ponds, and fast-moving, cold river rapids.
Easy Ways to Get Into the American River Parkway
Watt Avenue Access Park: Art and Water Safety
Watt Avenue Access Park is also called River Walk Access. It is located where Watt Avenue and La Riviera Drive meet. You can get there by taking the Watt Avenue exit off Highway 50. Then you continue onto La Riviera Drive.
This area is famous for a "Rock Artist." This mysterious person leaves piles of rocks in cool shapes. You can sometimes see these rock formations from the street above.
This spot is popular for many water activities. People enjoy boating, swimming, wading, and fishing here. If you go swimming or wading, be careful in the water. This park has a special life jacket "loaner" station. You can borrow a life vest for free. There are many sizes available. You just take one to use and return it when you are done. The park also has a big parking area, restrooms, and a water fountain.
