CITY OF FOLSOM HOSTS FREE LANDSCAPE FESTIVAL MARCH 25

Learn how to care for your landscape and trees while reducing your water use at the Folsom Landscape Fest Saturday, March 25.

The free, family-friendly event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mangini Ranch Elementary School, 4640 Sparrow Drive, Folsom. The event will feature exhibits and demonstrations, free resources and giveaways, and family-friendly activities.

• Learn from experts about efficient irrigation practices, landscape design, tree care, water wise plants, city water rebates, green waste recycling, and more. 
• City water conservation specialists will provide demonstrations and information about water-efficient technologies such as weather-based irrigation controllers, moisture sensors, and drip irrigation systems. 
• The City of Folsom Waste & Recycling team will provide free kitchen pails for collecting food scraps and have an interactive sorting activity to help residents learn how to properly sort their waste.
• The Sacramento Tree Foundation will offer tree care tips, master gardeners will be on location to answer questions, and Green Acres Nursery & Supply will host an informational booth. 
• Meet with city officials and public safety personnel. 
• Free compost and wood chips will be available nearby at the future Prospector Park site at 4578 Sparrow Drive. Piles are self-serve and require residents to bring their own shovels and containers to load and transport compost and mulch.

Families are encouraged to bring their children to the festival; games and activities will be available. The Mr. Leaky mascot will make special appearances, and the Folsom Public Library will host an activity booth for children and offer story times at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Participants may take part in raffles throughout the event. Attendees may purchase food, beverages, or treats from food trucks.

WORKSHOP ON INCREASING MULTIFAMILY HOUSING CAPACITY 

The City of Folsom is considering increases to Folsom’s multifamily housing capacity, and the Community Development Department will hold a public workshop at the March 28 City Council meeting.

Proposed increases to Folsom’s multifamily housing capacity will be considered in three targeted areas:

• The East Bidwell Corridor
• Transit priority areas near the Glenn and Iron Point light rail stations
• The Folsom Plan Area, particularly the Folsom Town Center

This effort is part of the city’s 2021-2029 Housing Element implementation plan, which was adopted by Council in August 2021, and the Targeted Multi-family and Mixed-use Housing Study, which was completed in July 2022. 

City Council Public Workshop

Tuesday, March 28, 6:30 p.m.

Folsom City Hall, Council Chambers, 50 Natoma Street

The public is encouraged to attend the workshop and provide input. Learn more at www.folsom.ca.us/housingstudy.

SPRING BREAK CAMPS FOR KIDS AND TEENS

Limited spaces are still available in a variety of spring break camps that take place April 3 through 7, including Mad Science, tennis, basketball, baseball, and a multi-sport camp. The camps are conducted by trained and caring staff and provide a supervised, positive, and inclusive environment. Early registration is encouraged as many of the camps fill quickly. Call 916-461-6601 with questions.

FUTURE RIVER DISTRICT ENVISIONED

The City of Folsom is home to more than six miles of frontage on the American River and Lake Natoma—some of the city’s greatest natural resources. Folsom grew “around” the river and, in many cases, pushed the river into backyard areas of the community. Our beloved Historic District looks inward instead of looking out to the natural beauty of the river and lake. Our waterfront areas are underutilized, and access is limited and poorly identified. But this can change.

The Folsom 2035 General Plan process identified this shortcoming and recommended the city complete a River District Master Plan. The plan would serve as a more detailed vision of future opportunities and improvements that can be implemented over time. With more than 75% of the land within the River District comprised of federal and state properties, it will be imperative to work closely with California State Parks and the Bureau of Reclamation and within the framework of their own policy and planning documents. The remaining riverfront areas owned by the city and private property owners present unique and exciting opportunities.

Last year, the Folsom City Council funded the River District Master Plan process with a federal grant through the American Recovery Plan Act. At its January 24 meeting, the Council directed the formation of a River District Ad Hoc Advisory Committee. Recruitment is underway for a planning consultant experienced with the complexities of community planning, urban design, environmental and cultural resources, federal and state coordination, recreation, and community engagement.

Stay informed about the River District planning process at www.folsom.ca.us/RiverDistrict.

LOOKING FOR A SUMMER JOB?

Folsom Parks & Recreation is Hiring!

Folsom Parks & Recreation is accepting applications for a variety of summer job opportunities, including staff for youth and teen summer camps; zoo camp counselors; skate, bike park, and sports monitors; park aides; a variety of positions for the Andy Morin Sports Complex; and lifeguard, swim instructor, café and party staff, and front office assistants at the Steve Miklos Aquatic Center. Many of these positions fill quickly, and interviews begin soon. Learn more about the positions and apply online.

SPRING CLEANING TIPS

Springtime is right around the corner, and the City of Folsom Waste and Recycling Division is here to help residents clean out common items efficiently and responsibly.

Office. Schedule a free Household Hazardous Waste appointment to dispose of fluorescent lightbulbs and tubes, batteries, and electronic waste items such as televisions and computers. Bag shredded paper and place in the Gray Garbage Bin. Recycle all other paper, magazines, and newspapers in your Blue Bin. Consider donating electronics, office equipment, and furniture items that are still in good condition.

Kitchen and Pantry. Dispose of any spoiled or stale food items using your green bin. Be sure to scrape or dump all food items out of their containers and into clear plastic or compostable bags. Donate lightly used appliances, recycle metal pots and pans in your Blue Bin, and dispose of any broken dishware or glasses in your Gray Garbage Bin.

Bathroom. Dispose of any full or partially full aerosol cans with a free Household Hazardous Waste collection. Empty and lightly rinse shampoo and soap bottles before placing in your Blue Bin. Old toiletries such as razors and toothbrushes can be tossed in the Gray Garbage Bin.

Garage. Take excess cardboard and recyclables to one of Folsom’s community recycling dumpsters. Donate lightly used sporting equipment and toys. Take advantage of a free Household Hazardous Waste collection for items such as automotive products and oils, paint and paint related materials, garden chemicals and fertilizers.

The city can help you dispose of bulky items that do not fit in your curbside cans. Single-family residential customers in Folsom can schedule up to three free Bulky Waste Pickup appointments each year. Please note that this program is popular, and there may be a wait before your pickup date. For more details about City of Folsom Waste and Recycling programs, call 916-461-6730 or visit www.folsom.ca.us/wasteandrecycling.

NATURE SEMINAR: LOCAL INVERTEBRATES AND NON-NATIVE ANALOGS

Join presenter Sara Tabatabai, with the American River Natural History Association (ARNHA) from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 22 to learn about local invertebrates including arthropods, mollusks, and annelids, and their importance to our ecosystem. The program includes a PowerPoint presentation and live local and non-native invertebrate specimens.

This educational program is presented in partnership with ARNHA. The seminar will be held at the Rotary Clubhouse, 7150 Baldwin Dam Road. Registration fee is $5/person; ages 10 through adult are welcome to attend. Preregistration is mandatory; call 916-461-6601 with questions.

FOLSOM SENIOR CENTER HOSTS FREE CALFRESH FOOD SMARTS SERIES

Join Christina Mason with the Agency on Aging \ Area 4 for this five-session Food Smarts series. The program offers a flexible nutrition and cooking curriculum for participants. Food Smarts includes instruction about how to interpret the information included in food labels, meal planning, food budgeting, and healthy cooking with fruits and vegetables.

The workshop will be held from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, March 21 through April 18, at the Folsom Senior Center, 48 Natoma Street. There is no charge for ages 60+ to take part in this program, but preregistration is mandatory. Call 916-461-6601 with questions.

City of Folsom Communications Director

Christine Brainerd | cbrainerd@folsom.ca.us | 916-461-6013 (office)

Get connected. Stay informed.

City of Folsom | 50 Natoma Street | www.folsom.ca.us