The American River Parkway spans about 30 miles from the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in Sacramento (aka Discovery Park) to Beal’s Point at Folsom Lake. For hikers, runners, bicyclists, equestrians and paddlers, the parkway is perhaps the crown jewel of the Sacramento region in terms of both natural and recreational resources.

East of Hazel Avenue, the parkway is part of the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (FLSRA), which launched an Adopt the Parkway program in 2008. The program includes a series of 1-mile segments of the parkway which are adopted by volunteer stewards and financial sponsors.

The mile segments within FLSRA surround Lake Natoma, then go on to the north side of Folsom Lake to Beal’s Point, Granite Bay, and Beeks Bight. On the south side of Folsom Lake, segments exist at Folsom Point and Brown’s Ravine.

There are two ways to participate in the Adopt the Parkway program:

  1. Volunteer stewards make a commitment to pick up litter and monitor their adopted mile segment for safety. The commitment is for a minimum of 20 volunteer hours per calendar quarter (which works out to an average of 1.6 hours per week). This can be accomplished as an individual volunteer steward, or collectively by a family or group.
  2. Financial sponsors adopt a mile segment of the Parkway for a charity donation of $1,200 per year. Sponsorship funds are administered through FOLFAN in conjunction with state parks and are spent for such things as signage, tools, equipment, trail repairs, clean-up events, and training.

Adopt the Parkway program signs are placed at the ends of each mile segment, and include recognition of the volunteer steward(s) and the financial sponsor. However, the signs are not advertisements. (If you’re looking for advertising opportunities, you won’t find it in a California State Park.)

If a mile segment is available to adopt, either as a volunteer steward or a financial sponsor, a sign will indicate its availability. Email or call FOLFAN President Jim Cassio if you have questions, or when you are ready to adopt your mile segment!

Jim Cassio: president@folfan.org | 707-975-5376