McKinley East Sacramento Neighborhood Association (MENA)

McKinley joggers may see a brand new path in 2007

Feb 10, 2006

Jogging Trail Renovation
Sacramento Parks & Recreation Department has applied for funding to rebuild the jogging path around McKinley Park. The jogging path, which is used by hundreds of runners and walkers daily, has been criticized lately for being constantly muddy, even in summer months.
A major problem is that the irrigation system was installed long before the jogging path was built. The sprinklers douse the path, and those using it, with water almost every morning during the summer resulting in mud and puddles that can render the path unsafe.
The city expects to learn if funding is approved by Fall 2006. If the plan is approved, construction would begin in Spring 2007.

McKinley Lighting Project Under Way
The long-awaited installation of additional lighting in McKinley Park is underway. During the past week electrical wiring was laid in underground conduits and foundations for the light poles.
The project is not without controversy, however. A group of area runners voiced concern that the placement of the lighting in the jogging path along McKinley Boulevard presented a number of safety issues for those using the path and took away about two feet of the width of the jogging path.
The rationale for placing the lights in the path, according to Randy Will in the Parks and Recreation Department, was to route the wiring through an abandoned waterline that runs parallel to the sidewalk. This process eliminated the need for trenching which likely would have damaged the tree roots and closed the path temporarily. Sue Brown, from Councilman Steve Cohn?’s office, assured us that they would monitor the planning for the jogging path renovation to ensure that the part of the path lost during construction will be restored.

Playground Work Day Planned for June
MENA is organizing another playground workday, tentatively scheduled for June 2006. The purpose of the workday is to ensure the McKinley Park playground remains in good condition and safe. If you would like to volunteer, contact Rich Ciraulo at MENA@eastsac.org.