In early 2020 SACOG embarked on the Sacramento Region Parks and Trails Strategic Development Plan. SACOG staff began by working with cities, counties, and planning partners to map all the parks, open space, multiuse trails, and informal trails in the region. This collaboration allowed staff to see existing and proposed connections between residents and our regional parks and trails, and to see if there were differences in access for regionally-identified disadvantaged communities.

After reviewing close to 80 local, regional, and state plans addressing trails and active transportation throughout all six counties, SACOG staff surveyed residents to identify what residents value in their biking and walking connections, regional trail goals, and gaps in connection and access. More than 3,000 community members participated in this public engagement program. These conversations fed into the development of the plan’s Performance Target Goals and established a list of factors for the region to keep in mind while identifying the network.  

Building on the collaboration with every jurisdiction, community-serving organizations, and regional community members, SACOG staff identified the Draft Regional Trail Network. The network aims to leverage 250 miles of existing trails and recommends adding more than 500 miles of new trails to equitably increase access to trails, support healthy lifestyles, and connect people to important destinations tied to economic vitality efforts. These trails were first identified in local plans for their potential to connect to important local destinations, but also show potential to make connections across boundaries in the region. 

The draft regional trail network also includes 95 miles of locally-identified trail study corridors that would look at creating trails or trail-like connection to complete the regional trail network. Trail study corridors are not identified in approved local planning documents but would be looked at in future studies and local plans.  

While many connections are possible with locally-identified planned trails and trail study corridors, there are still gaps in the network. The Draft Regional Trail Network also shows Potential Connecting Corridors/Areas Needing Further Study – corridors and areas identified by SACOG that still need a way to connect to the regional trail network and important destinations across jurisdiction boundaries. The draft review period will support more coordination with partners to complete the regional network and fill in these trail gaps moving forward.  

On December 16 the SACOG Board of Directors released the Draft Regional Trail Network for public review and further coordination with partners. If you have any questions or comments about the Draft Regional Trail Network, please send them to Hannah Tschudin through email at htschudin@sacog.org