| Lake Natoma Combines Transportation, Recreation and Fitness Article by Lea Brooks Lake Natoma, in northeastern Sacramento County, and part of the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (http://american.cal-parks.ca.gov/folsomsra/folsom.htm) is a peaceful sanctuary surrounded by bustling suburbia. Charlie Willard, Statewide Trails Program Manager for California Department of Parks and Recreation reports "within a fairly urban setting, Lake Natoma is an ideal place for people to exercise." Four recently completed projects at Lake Natoma have transformed the park into a popular destination for both the community and visitors. The park also plays a key role in the region's growing bicycle trail network serving bicycle commuters and recreational cyclists and provides a safe, accessible trail system close to where people live and work. A Freeway Overpass Greatly Improves Bike/Ped Access to the Lake The changes at Lake Natoma have included a freeway overpass for bicycles and pedestrians and major improvements to the lake's southern shoreline and boating facilities. The new freeway crossing was a welcomed improvement for commuters such as Mike Oberth, an aerospace engineer who works at nearby Aerojet company. In the past, Oberth feared for his safety every time he bicycled through the busy interchange of Hazel Avenue and Highway 50 to reach his job on the other side of the freeway. Even for experienced riders like Oberth, heavy and often aggressive traffic have dramatically increased in recent years following a steady growth in the area’s population and job market, often creating "dicey" situations for cyclists in the interchange. The bicycle/pedestrian overcrossing has transformed Oberth's one-time nightmarish bike route into a pleasant and safe ride. The improvements provide a safe connection for bicyclists that primarily live on the north side of Highway 50 to their worksites and other popular destinations on the south side. In addition to Aerojet, other high-profile employers in the area include Intel and HealthNet. Oberth has observed an increase in the number of bike commuters at Aerojet because of the overcrossing. Employees who were once limited to only the confines of the Aerojet compound are now using the overcrossing to reach the lake and nearby trail to exercise during their breaks and for running and walking after work. The overcrossing has also improved access to Lake Natoma and the popular American River Bicycle Path (http://american.cal-parks.ca.gov/folsomsra/bikeway.htm), including a stretch along the west shore of the lake. Popular with cyclists, walkers, runners and other users, the trail parallels the American River for 32 miles from its confluence with the Sacramento River at Discovery Park near downtown Sacramento to Beals Point at Folsom Lake. "The overcrossing has taken away the fear of riding a bike through the highway interchange," explained a cyclist who rides on the American River Parkway with a co-worker during his lunch break two or three times a week and occasionally pedals to work. "When it's hot, we stop and go swimming at the lake on our way back." Rick LeFlore, former Park and Recreation Specialist with State Parks’s American River District, could not be happier about the growing bike and pedestrian traffic on the new overcrossing. LeFlore is thrilled that with more access routes, users can utilize Lake Natoma as a safe, pleasant, convenient and affordable park where visitors can bike, run, walk, swim, paddle and enjoy nature in an urban area. Many residents hadn’t realized the area is actually part of the CA State Parks system and has tremendous recreational potential – in past years, it was better known as a site for illegal dumping, wild beer parties and transient camps. Linking to the City Bike Trail System Creates More Bicycle Commuters After completion in two years, the trail along the south side of Lake Natoma will link to the trail on the north side of the lake, creating an 11-mile loop, that also will link to the city of Folsom's growing bike trail system. LeFlore is working closely with the Folsom-Rancho Cordova-El Dorado Transportation Management Association (FRED TMA) and other groups to promote use of the trail and other facilities. The FRED TMA, a coalition of businesses, developers, public agencies, and individuals is addressing transportation and air quality issues, primarily along the Highway 50 corridor. The group has 80 members representing approximately 45,000 employees. "We enjoy our involvement with the FRED TMA," LeFlore said. "Bicycle commuting, transportation and recreation are compatible." FRED TMA Executive Director Rebecca Garrison agreed. "Our primary goal is to work with our members' employees on alternative commute modes: cycling, telecommuting, using transit, walking, vanpooling and carpooling," she explained. "Fortunately, Lake Natoma has value beyond recreation," Garrison said. "It has provided a bridge, literally, for non-motorized commuters to get from one side of Highway 50 to the other. We don't yet know how many people have become bicycle commuters because of the park, but we suspect the numbers are significant. Highway 50 was a formidable barrier for cyclists and walkers. We still have some work to do to make cycling and walking safe and convenient for these people, but the park is a major step in the right direction." Garrison said it's gratifying when people grasp the possibilities of not driving to work. "For cyclists, particularly, riding a bike to work is the first step to an enhanced quality of life," she said. "All of a sudden, health and exercise become priorities. I'm aware of a few bicycle commuters who started riding through Nimbus Flats in the morning and afternoon and now ride back to the park at lunchtime with a group of co-workers for exercise. Most people probably think that individuals who are active and exercise a lot are good candidates for biking or walking to work. My experience shows the opposite - that biking or walking to work is the impetus for a new healthy lifestyle." Promoting Lake Natoma as a place to exercise is part of the plan. "As a district, we're interested in making further ties to wellness programs." LeFlore said. Citing the popularity of walking laps around the interior corridors of one of the local shopping malls, LeFlore said his staff is exploring ways to attract walkers to Lake Natoma. LeFlore is pleased with the growing diversity of the visitors at Lake Natoma. While some low-income families in the area cannot afford to visit Lake Tahoe, they can enjoy Lake Natoma. "Lake Natoma is a safe and pleasant environment," he emphasized. "The secret is definitely out, and we're glad it's out."
For more information about Lake Natoma, visit the California State Parks website at http://american.cal-parks.ca.gov/folsomsra/folsom.htm A map of the area can be found at http://american.cal-parks.ca.gov/folsomsra/ardmap2.GIF |