How parkway came to be
Re "A vibrant visionary," Aug. 5: The article was a wonderful profile and celebration of an early American River Parkway visionary whose work crystallized that of many others in the forgotten past whose work also helped form the foundation for the parkway we love.
The first map of the area I'm aware of, that contained an outline of the parkway, was done by city planner John Nolen in 1915 under contract with the Sacramento Board of Park Directors.
Carl and Myrtle Johnston often drove county parks' first director, Bill Pond, "father of the parkway," around their land in their red Cadillac convertible while discussing their shared vision of what the parkway could become, land where the parkway's original dedication occurred.
Pond, whose primary role in the formation of the parkway is well known, made the observation in a discussion with one of our board members last year that he felt the Johnson family's help in obtaining the initial easements through privately owned land along the river was a key factor that made the parkway a reality.
Many hands have gone into creating this treasure, and it takes many to preserve it.
- David H. Lukenbill, Sacramento
Senior Policy Director, American River Parkway Preservation Society
