I went out for an afternoon walk in the rain today. I wasn't alone with lots of kids in the skateboard park, and other folks at the dog park and out on the trails like me. Runners, walkers, dog enthusiasts were out in lighter numbers. I also spotted 4 teens riding bikes on the foot path on the bluff above the river in the middle of what little habitat remains here. I continued up river and noticed signs of abandonment at a couple of camp sites I recently reported in the County 311 app with lots of trash remaining. Up ahead under the I-80 bridge I saw vehicle lights of a County ranger dealing with an active camp site including a fire with the camper and dog present. I stayed away but noticed a county parks dump truck across the river near the bridge apparently cleaning up that area. I found out later the ranger I saw now covers the stewardship area from Sutter's Landing Park to the Guy West Bridge. Sutter's Landing Park is a regional city park but the adjacent area along the river is in the American River Parkway. A big area to cover and it hasn't been common to see rangers like today.
4 bike riders rode on this narrow foot path in the rain today
Abandoned camp site near RR trestle at Sutter's Landing Park
Photo taken earlier this fall of a trash pickup trailer assigned to Sutter's Landing Park
As I walked back I noticed a new active camp in the tree mitigation triangle parcel adjacent to the freeway and former landfill mound. That makes 2-3 active sites there with campfires that have the potential to damage this recently established and expensive city of Sacramento mitigation site. I've tried to report these sites in the County 311 system but am pretty sure its the responsibility of the City of Sacramento which doesn't have a straight forward way to report such incidents. I plan to discuss this with Parks staff and possibly councilman Jeff Harris. I will also bring up the lack of signs about no off-pavement bike riding on this side of the river which comes up often.
As I headed back the rain increased. I spotted the four teens riding the foot path again. It appeared they were exploring but not riding aggressively. As I decided my next move and whether to report, ranger Christopher McGeorge drove up and introduced himself. We discussed the 311 app and problems I've described above. He asked to be included when 311 reports are filed. He told me the Oak Leaf report is not being used and may be linked back to 311 now. We agreed the new County 311 system is much better. Meanwhile, the teens beat a hasty retreat while the ranger was present. I still filed a 311 report on their activities just to keep the record straight.
The presence of rangers today was a very good sight but the tasks they face in this area is huge and ongoing. The more eyes on the area reporting when problems are encountered the better for all.
As I headed back the rain increased. I spotted the four teens riding the foot path again. It appeared they were exploring but not riding aggressively. As I decided my next move and whether to report, ranger Christopher McGeorge drove up and introduced himself. We discussed the 311 app and problems I've described above. He asked to be included when 311 reports are filed. He told me the Oak Leaf report is not being used and may be linked back to 311 now. We agreed the new County 311 system is much better. Meanwhile, the teens beat a hasty retreat while the ranger was present. I still filed a 311 report on their activities just to keep the record straight.
The presence of rangers today was a very good sight but the tasks they face in this area is huge and ongoing. The more eyes on the area reporting when problems are encountered the better for all.
Abandoned camp site & ranger dealing with active camp site under I-80
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