Most of Rancho Cordova’s suggestions for the Parkway were excellent ideas, but this is the best one, building a bridge to connect two major parks, a good thing all around, build it and they will come, riding and walking over the river.
Editorial: A bridge for parks?
Time to consider linking Hoffman, Hagan
Published 12:00 am PST Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Two important parks along the American River lie directly across from one another. On the northern side of the river, in Carmichael, is Ancil Hoffman Park. On the southern side, in Rancho Cordova, is Hagan Park. To get from one park to the other, someone would have to swim across the river (not advisable) or travel indirectly by bike or car for miles.
For practical purposes, the parks operate in separate universes. Some residents probably like it that way. But as this region grows, particularly in new areas of Rancho Cordova, better pedestrian and bicycle access to the parkway will become a more pressing need. A new pedestrian span connecting the two parks did not get the attention that it should have by county supervisors when they recently discussed the American River Parkway. That's too bad. It should not be too late in the upcoming environmental review process to discern whether a pedestrian bridge would benefit this wonderful parkway.
The county is in the middle of a years-long process of updating the guiding document for managing the parkway. The essence of the parkway plan has been, and should continue to be, preservation of the river corridor in its natural condition. Any new construction in the parkway should be limited. Ancil Hoffman, for example, has a golf course that is in the parkway. Across the river, Hagan Park does not. Ancil Hoffman has a nature center. Hagan Park doesn't.
The solution for those differences shouldn't be to build another golf course on the Hagan Park side of the river. Instead, why don't the two parks operate more like one, linked by a pedestrian bridge? Would a beautifully designed span add to or detract from the visitor experience?
