Nature in the City: Sutter's Landing Regional Park

A big portion of this blog is pointing out how much there is to see in one’s own backyard, including beautiful destinations within the city limits of where many of us live. Finding natural beauty downtown is not usually the number one item on our priority lists. Radio tag a human such as myself and the path will likely be home to workplace to gas station to store(s) to home and repeat. One advantage, however, of living in a river city is if you find the rivers, you will find the parks.

Sacramento, California, is a river town by every definition, where two major rivers—The American and Sacramento—meet and converge and then flow into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The American River comes from the Sierra Nevada range, through the foothill towns of Auburn and Folsom, the suburban towns of Rancho Cordova and Fair Oaks, and into Sacramento itself where it meets up with the Sacramento River at Discovery Park. The Sacramento River flows from its headwaters in the Shasta-Trinity mountains, down the length of the Sacramento Valley, and right through the center of the City of Sacramento.

I discovered Sutter's Landing Regional Park in midtown Sacramento while pursuing one of my action items in the Spring—searching for a Swainson’s Hawk nest to observe as part of Swainson’s Hawk training. Swainson’s Hawk is a State Threatened species, and high densities of the California’s declining Central Valley population occur in the Sacramento area. They nest in tall trees, generally in riparian corridors along rivers near agricultural fields. I saw the hawks flying overhead but didn’t find a nest; however, I did find the choice place for a very nearby family outing when the occasion arises.

From the end of 28^th Street at B Street, just a block or two from Interstate 80, the road leaves the residential neighborhood at the dog park, and climbs an enormous levee along the American River. Past all the recreational amenities the park offers, the road ends at a parking lot next to the 28th and B skate park. With all the cars and noise, it appears we are still in the urban environment; so where is all this natural beauty? Just a very short walk along the top of and down the river-side of the levee, everything changes. Suddenly we are on the bank of the American, with miles of pristine beaches and riparian forest as far as the eye can see in either direction. 

Even with the scattering of families out for a swim or picnic, dog walkers, and recreationists on the water, the scene is very peaceful and quiet. Active people like my brother can walk for miles, not-so-active people can sit in the shallow water or in the shade of the trees and cool down from the blazing heat. As for the dogs, with so much room to run and water to play in, there isn't much need for the dog park.

Then there is the wildlife. We shared our peaceful afternoon with a pair of Canada Geese and goslings in tow, hawks, ducks, an egret, and songbirds. It is one of those places that make us forget we’re in the middle of the city. “Can’t travel far” is no reason for nature deficit disorder. It’s just a matter of motivation to find the day that makes such a visit a priority.