Plans to reopen the gravel road at Sailor Bar to vehicle traffic have been shelved as Sacramento County addresses community concerns and focuses on meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, officials said on Thursday. The decision to put the reopening on hold came after protests and an assertion of the importance of accessible public spaces. The popular natural area along the American River Parkway was slated to welcome cars and trucks back onto "Gravel Road A" after being closed in 2009, according to a report by KCRA.
The county has acknowledged that before vehicles can return, it must prioritize ADA improvements to the restroom facilities and the main parking lot. “We hope this action will help re-focus the intention on creating safe, accessible access to areas of the Regional Parks system to people with mobility issues as well as other disabilities, which will assist Parks in reaching our overarching goal of increasing public access to Regional Parks," said Liz Bellas, director of Regional Parks in a statement obtained by KCRA. The adjustments were brought to light after the Sacramento County Recreation and Park Commission meeting raised the issue of accessibility.
CBS News Sacramento reported that the delay comes nearly two weeks after local residents demonstrated their desire to keep the road closed. Sailor Bar has become a favored spot for pedestrians, and preserving these walking trails has been an important aspect for members of the community who protested the reopening.
Sacramento County District 3 Supervisor Rich Desmond also expressed a commitment to making the park area welcoming for all. "I look forward to working with our Regional Parks staff as they develop an ADA plan for Sailor Bar, and I hope to find ways to partner with groups throughout the County to bring more outdoor education experiences for youth and adults alike to this idyllic space along the river," Desmond told CBS News Sacramento. Meanwhile, with the delay, "Gravel Road A" and other gravel roads in Sailor Bar will stay closed as the planning for an ADA-compliant trail progresses.
