Sacramento, Calif. – Sacramento County Regional Parks has been awarded $1,732,407 for the American River Parkway Cordova Creek Naturalization Project, and $246,550 to complete Phase I of the Dry Creek Parkway Trail in Proposition 84 funds from the California Natural Resources Agency.

“A lot of hard work went into applying for these grants, and I am pleased that the Natural Resources Agency saw fit to award these ambitious and much needed projects with funding,” said Janet Baker, Parks Director. “We will work with our various partners, including the City of Rancho Cordova to rebuild and restore open space in the County that will be accessible to the public.”

‘The City of Rancho Cordova promoted the restoration of Cordova Creek as a high priority during the recent American River Parkway Plan and we are very pleased to be partners on this important project,” said Ken Cooley, Rancho Cordova Mayor. “We treasure the river as it flows through our community and welcome the opportunity to enhance habitat and nature-based recreation while still providing a critical flood safety outlet. This is a winning partnership.”

• The American River Cordova Creek Naturalization Project will restore Cordova Creek to a more natural state. Currently, the creek, commonly known as Clifton Drain, flows through a 2,600-foot concrete ditch and unused agricultural land to the American River at River Bend Park, where it discharges groundwater and stormwater runoff from the City of Rancho Cordova. This project will remove the ditch and create 15 acres of natural riparian habitat, with areas designated for seasonal flood events. The project will also include a mile of walking trails through the area that will connect with the Parkway bike trail and the Soil Born Farms American River Ranch.
   
• Phase I of the Dry Creek Parkway Trail includes the construction of 2.9 miles of shared use bicycle/pedestrian and equestrian trails stretching from Dry Creek to the Cherry Island Soccer Complex in Elverta. This project will also include the construction of a bridge over Dry Creek. The Dry Creek Parkway is a six mile riparian corridor located in the northern County. Other funding sources for this project include TEA-21 transportation funds and Proposition 40 park bond funds.

On September 14, the Natural Resources Agency awarded $31 million in Proposition 84 grants to 31 California river parkway projects. The grants will fund more than 21 miles of trail creation or enhancement and more than 2,232 acres of wildlife habitat restoration and land acquisition statewide. For additional information about the grant process, visit the Natural Resources Agency’s website at http://www.resources.ca.gov/bonds_riverparkways.html.