Sacramento Area
Mountain Bike
Association

American River Parkway Funding Update

By Bob Horowitz

May, 2004

A one-time budget lifeline, the sale of a piece of county property, means vital maintenance and law enforcement on the Lower American River Parkway will survive a tense budget year.  Back in January, county supervisors suggested "closing" the parkway.  Of course, there is no way to "close" the 23-mile-long river corridor, which has hundreds of potential ways in and out.  Rather, "closing" the parkway meant locked restrooms, lots more debris on trails, and fewer law enforcement patrols.  It meant ever more illegal camping and crime.

The Parkway's previous budget was about $4 million, and this year's will be at least a million less.  But, at least, the County can keep the toilets flushing and the bike trail brushed for another year or so.  Lawns will be mowed less often and trash may occasionally build up. 

After that, things could get worse.  County government has been the big loser since the enactment of Prop. 13, the historic property tax measure.  Because the state and federal governments continue to dump ever more responsibility and ever less money to counties, there is no reasonable expectation for this to change.

Sacramento County has always funded the Parkway from its dwindling pile of discretionary income.  As a result, many years the Parkway just scraped by.  When maintenance or safety got bad enough, the citizens would rally, and things might improve for a while.  But hard times would return, County leaders would face another budget shortfall, and the cycle starts anew.

Local leaders are exploring methods to achieve a dedicated, stable revenue stream for parks and open space in the region, including and especially the Parkway.  This may take the form of a "benefits assessment" for real property owners.  The exact form and amount of any new tax is not yet known, but there will definitely need to be a vote of the people before that can occur.  That means dedicated funding is probably at least two years down the line.  Political success of such a measure is by no means assured.  Dedicated funding would mean enough cash, not only to keep up with the blown-down trees, the invasive plants, the illegal campers and the buckled pavement, but to really start improving things.

Groups involved in the effort to bring long term stability and funding to the American River Parkway include:

• American River Natural History Association
• American River Parkway Foundation
• American River Parkway Preservation Society
• Sacramento County Board of Supervisors
• Save the American River Association