Sacramento County halts reopening of American River Parkway vehicle access after criticism
Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks has halted plans to allow vehicle access through Sailor Bar in Fair Oaks in the American River Parkway, according to a news release Thursday afternoon.
Plans to reopen Gravel Road A were subject to heavy criticism from county residents and environmental advocates last week. The county originally proposed opening a parking lot to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and further align with the American River Parkway Plan.
During a Sacramento County Recreation and Parks Commission meeting last week, those in opposition said allowing vehicle access to Sailor Bar is dangerous. They stated that resuming road access, after it was closed in 2009 due to budgetary constraints, would disturb wildlife and cause wildfire risk.
Regional Parks Director Liz Bellas said she hopes this action will assist in “creating safe accessible access” to the parks system for people with mobility obstacles and individuals with disabilities. She added, in the news release, that these groups will “assist Parks in reaching our overarching goal of increasing public access to Regional Parks.”
The news release also states the pause of the reopening is to “focus resources on completing necessary ADA improvements to the restroom facility and main parking lot off the Illinois access.”
Sacramento County Supervisor Rich Desmond who represents District 3, said he will work with the Regional Parks staff on creating an ADA plan for Sailor Bar.
“I hope to find ways to partner with groups throughout the county to bring more outdoor education experiences for youth and adults alike to this idyllic space along the river,” Desmond said in a news release.
