Title
Sutter’s Landing Park ADA River Access Trail Project Concept Plan Approval
End
FileID
File ID: 2026-01080
End
Location
Location: District 4
End
Recommendation
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1) adopting the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and the Mitigation Monitoring Program for the Sutter’s Landing Park River Access Trail project; and 2) approving the concept plans for the Sutter’s Landing Park ADA River Access Trail Project.
End
Contact
Contact: Tin-Wah Wong, Associate Landscape Architect, (916) 808-5540, twong@cityofsacramento.org; Jason Wiesemann, Park Planning & Development Services Manager, (916) 808-7634, jwiesemann@cityofsacramento.org; Department of Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment
End
Presenter
Presenter: None
End
Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Sutter’s Landing Park ADA River Access Trail Concept Plans
3-Resolution
End
Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: Sutter’s Landing Regional Park is a 204-acre regional park located at 20 28th Street in Community Planning Area 1, Council District 4.
In November 1995, the City Council adopted a Preliminary Master Plan for Sutter’s Landing Regional Park. The 1995 Plan specifically identified a car-top boat launch at the American River waterfront within the overall development goals of the park; however, the Plan then lacked a dedicated pedestrian access leading to the waterfront. The recently updated Site Plan (2025) added further improvements to the park, as the park’s footprint expanded to the west. The update to the Site Plan received community input that supported the need for improved access and additional trails. The adopted Site Plan update reflected that input and incorporated pedestrian trails and connections. In 2023, the City was awarded a Proposition 68 grant from the State of California Wildlife Conservation Board to prepare the feasibility studies, conduct public outreach, prepare environmental documentation, obtain permits, and develop construction documents for the Sutter’s Landing Park ADA River Access Trail Project. The Project, once constructed, will enable the city to implement a component of the development goals of the 1995 Site Plan for the regional park and the additional trail connections the community requested in the 2025 update to the Site Plan.
The City, in collaboration with the County of Sacramento, proposes to construct an ADA-compliant pedestrian access trail connecting the Sutter’s Landing Park parking lot to Sutter’s Landing Beach in the City of Sacramento. The purpose of the project is to provide safe and accessible access to Sutter’s Landing Beach for recreational users of all ages and abilities. The paved trail would help define the river access point and reduce informal social trails along the riverfront while protecting native habitat. The project also includes restoration and habitat enhancement of approximately 5 acres adjacent to Sutter’s Landing Beach, as well as interpretive signage at the new trailhead.
The proposed improvements include a set of concrete stairs descending the face of the levee, along with two ADA-compliant concrete trails located to the east and west of the stairs. The stairs and trails would converge at a concrete landing at the base of the levee, where trash receptacles and safety vests would be provided. From this landing, a single concrete trail would continue north toward the river, providing access to two concrete pads that could accommodate picnic tables.
The concrete trail would terminate at the entrance to the beach, where accessible mats would be installed to provide access to the river’s edge. The alignment of the trail to the water’s edge would be selected to minimize impacts to large trees and sensitive riparian vegetation. The concrete trails are designed to accommodate pedestrian use only.
The project is currently in the preliminary design and environmental clearance stage. The City was awarded a Proposition 68 grant from the State of California Wildlife Conservation Board to prepare feasibility studies, conduct public outreach, and prepare environmental documentation, permitting, and construction documents. While the original funding application indicated that the City was planning to construct a concession stand that would include paddleboard and kayak rentals, the City’s initial feasibility study determined that a formal dock at this location was not feasible. As such, the nature of the goods/services available, if any, at the ranger station and restroom building has not yet been determined.
End
PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: Providing accessible parks and recreation facilities is consistent with the City’s plans to achieve sustainability and livability and to expand economic development throughout the City.
Specifically, the proposed project is consistent with the following Key Directions in Parks Plan 2040:
• Key Direction #3 to Ensure Access, by providing accessible paths that support greater facility use by people of all abilities; and
• Key Direction #6 to Foster Nature and Trail Connections, by partnering with other agencies and departments to improve connections to parks via trails.
It is also consistent with the following Parks Plan 2040 Policies Appendix D. 1. Parks, Parkways & Open Space Policies:
• 1.9 c. Universal, All-Inclusive Access - Meet and where possible exceed the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide parks and facilities that accommodate all ages and abilities, including people with mobility issues, sight and hearing impairments, allergies, and other special needs. Integrate and consider all options of modality and accessibilities; and
• 1.15 Access to Nature and Waterways - Improve waterfront access, recreation, and management through collaboration.
o Subsection a. Increase and/or formalize informal access points to river parkways, particularly focusing on residential areas that lack park access within a 10-minute walk.
o Subsection b. Work with regional partners, State agencies, non-profit and community groups, private landowners, and land developers to manage, preserve, improve habitat value, enhance use and access to the Sacramento and American River Parkways, urban waterways, and riparian corridors to increase public access for active and passive recreation and habitat values.
Finally, the proposed project is consistent with the following 2040 General Plan policies:
• YPRO-1.11 Enhancing Access to Parks - the City shall pursue strategies that increase community access to parks and recreational facilities, including the following: Providing a choice of legible and navigable routes to and from park areas through the installation of new or improved multi-use shared paths, wayfinding signage, and coordination with public transit; and
• YPRO-1.17 Waterway Recreation and Access - The City shall work with regional partners, State agencies, non-profit and community groups, private landowners, and land developers to manage, preserve, improve, and enhance use and access to the Sacramento and American River Parkways, urban waterways and riparian corridors to increase public access for active and passive recreation and habitat values.
End
EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
End
EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: The City of Sacramento prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the Sutter’s Landing Park River Access Trail Project pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, section 15178(b),(c). The draft MND was circulated for a public review and comment period from November 26, 2025, to December 31, 2025, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15073. The comment period was also advertised in a newspaper of general circulation. A notice of availability / notice of intent to adopt the MND was posted in the County Clerk’s Office and was sent to applicable regulatory agencies, neighborhood associations, and stakeholders in the project area.
The City received more than twenty-two letters during the public comment period. The comment letters and responses are included on the City’s Community Development Department (CDD) webpage under the Sutter’s Landing Park ADA River Access Trail Project heading (webpage listed below). In response to comments, information was added to clarify and amplify the mitigated negative declaration. No new significant effects were identified, and no new mitigation measures or project revisions were required to address the project’s impacts.
The Environmental Services Manager has determined that adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan are appropriate actions under the CEQA. The initial study/MND for the project, the revised MND, comments and responses, and the Mitigation Monitority and Reporting Program are available online at the following address:
https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/community-development/planning/environmental/impact-reports
End
Sustainability
Sustainability: The Sutter’s Landing Park River Access Trail Project has been reviewed for consistency with the goals, policies, and targets of the City’s Climate Action Plan for Internal Operations 2016 Update, the 2040 General Plan, the 2018 YPCE Strategic Plan, and the Parks Plan 2040. The project will advance the goals, policies, and targets of these plans by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, including native and drought-tolerant plantings, and improving the health of all residents through access to a diverse mix of wellness activities. Individual products have not been chosen at this level of development, but the design will include products from recycled materials, if available.
End
Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
End
RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: The City was awarded a Proposition 68 grant from the State of California Wildlife Conservation Board to prepare the feasibility studies, public outreach, environmental documentation, permitting, and construction documents for the Sutter’s Landing Park River Access Trail project.
Council adoption of the IS/MND and MMRP is required prior to moving forward with permitting and the development of construction documents. The anticipated completion date for this planning phase, including environmental documentation, permitting, and construction document development is June 22, 2027.
End
FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: Funding has been secured in the amount of $950,000 from the State of California Wildlife Conservation Board to prepare the feasibility studies, public outreach, environmental documentation, permitting, and construction documents for the Sutter’s Landing Park ADA River Access Trail Project.
Staff will seek funding opportunities for the construction phase.
End
LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
End