A $6.9 million cherry blossom park is coming to Sacramento. See where they will bloom

A 1.5-acre park filled with pink and white cherry blossoms will be a new addition to Sacramento’s urban forest.

The Sacramento Tree Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps the community engage with the city’s tree canopy, is partnering with the City of Sacramento, the State of California and businesses to bring a cherry blossom park called Hanami Line to Robert T. Matsui Waterfront Park.

The $6.95 million project is expected to open in 2023. Organizers have already raised $6.3 million, about 91% of the goal, with support coming from UC Davis Health, the City of Sacramento and Caltrans, according to a news release.

Hanami refers to a Japanese tradition where people celebrate spring with loved ones under groves of cherry blossoms, the Sacramento Tree Foundation said in the release.

“The Hanami Line will combine Sacramento’s love of trees with the rich cultural heritage of this region,” the organization wrote.

According to the Pew Research Center, Sacramento is one of the top 10 metropolitan cities in the United States with a large Japanese community, with 25,000 Japanese residents in 2019.

Sacramento’s history with the Japanese community trails far back into the late 1860s, being home to the first Japanese settlement in the U.S., where the first Japanese immigrant was laid to rest and where Japanese-American residents were imprisoned in internment camps during World War II.

“The Hanami Line at Robert T. Matsui Park gives the Sacramento region the opportunity to add a positive and life-affirming chapter to its history in recognizing the lasting contributions the Japanese-American community has made to our city,” according to the project’s website.

Some construction is already underway

The park is projected to open to the public in 2023, but the exact timeline is tentative, Jessica Sanders, executive director of the Sacramento Tree Foundation, said in an email response.

But the project is moving along.

Sanders said construction is currently being done to improve accessibility near the park. This includes making an ADA walkway that joins the parking lot next to the Museum of Science and Curiosity with the park and bike trail.

What the park will look like

There will be 100 ‘Pink Flair’ cherry blossoms planted in Matsui Park at 450 Jibboom Street, which can be viewed from Interstate 5. It’s also within walking distance from the Railyards and the Museum of Science and Curiosity, according to the project’s website.

Hanami Line will include a Matsuyama Dori, a walkway that features a lighted sculpture and artistically paved paths. There will be four small forests within the canopy, picnic areas, spaces for large outdoor events, shaded structures and benches.

“Sacramento leaders expect the Hanami Line to become a spectacular springtime destination that draws visitors from all over the world, and a beautiful space for year-round uses ranging from casual recreation to lively festivals,” the tree foundation said in the release.

Can residents volunteer to help?

There aren’t specific volunteer dates planned yet, Sanders said, since tree planting won’t happen until construction is completed.

Residents can sign up for email updates about events and volunteer opportunities online.