Sacramento approves long awaited river trail project in Pocket and Greenhaven
On Tuesday afternoon, the Sacramento City Council unanimously approved a plan to construct four miles of a paved trail between Garcia Bend and Zacharias parks. The plan will also build access ramps at North Point Way, Audubon Circle and Country River Way, which are intended for residents living in the interiors of the neighborhoods.
The city has envisioned developing a continuous Sacramento River Parkway, a multi-use trail spanning the west edge of the Pocket through Freeport, since 1975 when it adopted a master plan for the parkway. Tuesday’s approval will close the “largest outstanding gap” in the river trail, said Megan Johnson, a senior engineer for the Sacramento River Parkway project.
“This is something that we’ve been working on, I’ve been working on as a councilmember for the last 12 years, and it’s something that I think is very important,” said Councilmember Rick Jennings, who represents the area, at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
The discussion of the new trail drew 21 public speakers, most of whom were in support and called the project’s completion long overdue. Others pointed to the benefits for cyclist and pedestrian safety.
“This project would advance the goals of the city to improve our air quality, achieve our climate goals and provide a safe place to exercise for both pedestrians and bicyclists,” said Farla Kaufman.
Some residents opposed the project, citing concerns about safety and property rights. The project will require buying easements for the trail or using eminent domain, meaning providing compensation to some property owners living along the river to acquire the land needed.
“This plan does not address the security and safety of those of us who live along the levee,” said Don Murphy, a property owner in the Pocket area. “Plain and simple.”
Mayor Kevin McCarty, who acknowledged the resident opposition, said previous constructions of shared use paths — like the Del Rio Trail — have not led to more “negative activity.”
“I get that change is hard, and I understand the residents have some frustrations, and we’re going to listen and try to the extent that we can mitigate those,” McCarty said. “But this project is moving forward after multiple decades in the shadows, and I’m 100% in support.”
Johnson said following Tuesday’s approval will be the “final design phase,” which involves preparation of plans, specifications and estimates.
This story was originally published October 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
