A Sense of Space: Discovering Sacramento’s American River Parkway

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...American River Parkway Foundation – Protecting 23 Miles of Sacramento’s BackyardI’m on the American River Parkway multiple times a week. Cycling. Running. Watching the fog rise off the river. And like many of you, I’ve probably taken it for granted.But what if I told you only about 10% of Sacramento County residents recognize the Parkway as a connected 23-mile resource?In this episode, I sit down with Diana Poggetto, Executive Director of the American River Parkway Foundation, to talk about what it really takes to protect 4,800 acres of open space that sit just minutes from our homes.We cover:The 15,000+ volunteer hours that keep the Parkway clean and accessibleWhat happens when 88,000 cubic feet per second of water roars through the riverWhy the Parkway is first and foremost a flood conveyance zoneHow Title I students are experiencing the river for the first timeThe Afghan families, cyclists, runners, artists, and seniors who all share this spaceTwo major community events: Summer Solstice and the American River Burger BattleWhy growing awareness beyond that 10% is critical for the Parkway’s futureWhat struck me most is Diana’s phrase:The Parkway isn’t just a “sense of place.” It’s a sense of space.It’s free.It’s accessible.And it unites Sacramento across cities, cultures, and generations.If you care about open space, equity in access to nature, volunteerism, or simply protecting what makes Sacramento special — this conversation is for you.🔗 Learn More & Get InvolvedVisit: https://arpf.orgChapter Time Stamps00:00 – Why the Parkway matters personally02:30 – 23 miles, 4,800 acres, and what most people don’t know04:00 – Trash removal, invasive plants, and volunteer power06:00 – Youth exposure & Title I students discovering nature10:30 – Large-scale community cleanups (800–2,000 volunteers)12:30 – How the organization is funded14:00 – Summer Solstice & Burger Battle fundraisers15:45 – The “blank check” vision for the Parkway18:30 – The greatest need: community advocacy22:00 – Flood seasons & 88,000 CFS26:00 – Managing nature and finding balance29:00 – Marketing the Parkway & video campaign33:00 – Engaging the next generationIf you haven’t been out on the Parkway recently — go.You can enter almost anywhere. And it belongs to all of us.Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story!  We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/  And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.