Gardenland, Sacramento, California facts for kids

Gardenland is a neighborhood in the city of Sacramento, California. It's located in the Natomas Basin area. This neighborhood is known for being the best farming land within the city limits. Gardenland is bordered by Northgate Boulevard to the west, Indiana Avenue to the north, Steelhead Creek to the east, and the Arden-Garden Connector to the south. Some people who live in Gardenland believe its true center is around Bowman Avenue, especially because of the park and the levee nearby.

History of Gardenland

Gardenland was started in the 1920s. Many of the first residents were immigrant farm workers and people who worked for the railroad. The name "Gardenland" likely came from the many trees in the area, or because the land lots were large and good for growing things. It was a place with rich agriculture and beautiful scenery. By 1940, it was not officially part of the city yet, and many of its residents were of Mexican or Portuguese background.

Community Improvements in the 1970s

In the 1970s, a big change happened when Gardenland Park was built at the end of Bowman Avenue. This park became a central spot for the community, hosting fun festivals and sports activities. During the summer, the city of Sacramento even ran a special program there. This program offered fun activities for kids and provided them with free sack lunches all summer long.

Also in the 1970s, Gardenland got some important upgrades. New sidewalks were installed, making it safer and easier to walk around. A modern drainage system was put in place, which helped remove dangerous ditches and prevent flooding. The roads were also improved, and streetlights were added on all streets and around Gardenland Park, making the neighborhood brighter and safer at night.

Climate in Gardenland

Gardenland has a Mediterranean climate. This means it has mild winters and hot, dry summers. The air usually doesn't feel very sticky or humid. Most of the rain falls between November and March. By the end of April, the rainy season almost completely stops.

Temperatures and Rainfall

The average temperature throughout the year in Gardenland is about 61°F (16°C). In December and January, the daily average is around 46°F (8°C), while in July, it's about 76°F (24°C). Daily high temperatures can range from 53°F (12°C) in winter to 93°F (34°C) in July. Many summer days can even reach over 100°F (38°C). Daily low temperatures usually range from 38°F (3°C) to 58°F (14°C).

On average, Gardenland has about 73 days a year where the temperature goes above 90°F (32°C). The hottest day ever recorded was 115°F (46°C) on July 25, 2006. It also has about 18 days a year where the temperature drops below 32°F (0°C). The coldest day on record was 17°F (-8°C) on December 11, 1932. The average yearly rainfall is about 17.4 inches (442 mm). There is almost no rain during the summer months. January usually sees the most rain, with about 3.7 inches (94 mm). On average, it rains about 58 days a year.

Fog and Snow

About 96 days a year, Gardenland experiences fog, mostly in the mornings. This type of fog is often called tule fog. It can get very thick, making it hard to see, sometimes less than 100 feet (30 meters). This can make driving conditions quite difficult.

Snowfall is very rare in Gardenland because it's only about 52 feet (16 meters) above sea level. A light dusting of snow might happen every eight to ten years. The most snow ever recorded was 9 cm (3.5 inches) on January 4, 1888.

People of Gardenland

From the 1950s through the early 1980s, Gardenland was home to the largest number of Mexican-Americans in Sacramento. Many of these residents worked in important local industries. They often had jobs at the Southern Pacific Railroad, the Campbell Soup factory, and Blue Diamond Almond Growers.

Sacramento is known for being a very diverse city, with people from many different backgrounds and cultures. In 2002, Time magazine and the Civil Rights Project at Harvard University even called Sacramento the most racially and ethnically integrated major city in America. This means people from different groups live and work together well. The U.S. Census Bureau also considers Sacramento a city with "High Diversity."