MAY IS BIKE MONTH 

Bike Month is celebrated throughout the nation every May to highlight the benefits of bicycling and to encourage more people to give it a try. Throughout May, riders across the region are joining forces to swap cars for handlebars, encourage new riders, engage in friendly competitions, and win prizes.

Get in on the Bike Month fun:

• Join the Friends of the Folsom Parkways team and log the miles you ride throughout the month of May.
• Take the “End to End” challenge: ride every mile of Folsom’s trail network (north of HWY 50) in May. Print the trails map in black and white and highlight the segments you ride and note the date. Send your completed map no later than June 2 to earn the new Friends of the Folsom Parkways decal. This challenge is a great way to learn about and explore some of the lesser-known gems along the city’s trail system.
• Enter the photo contest; pro or amateur photographers of all ages can submit photos highlighting the beauty of Folsom’s trails. Photos can be entered in two themed categories, and winners will be selected each week of May; grand prizes will be awarded at the end of the contest. Find more details on the Friends of the Folsom Parkways website.

May is a great time to explore and enjoy some of Folsom’s 50+ miles of paved recreational trails. Safety and courtesy make for a positive experience for all trail users. Cyclists should keep to the right side of the trail, maintain a safe speed, and pass on the left side of oncoming pedestrians. Find updated trail maps and additional tips for trail safety and etiquette on the City of Folsom website.

CITY WORKS DAY ROLLS INTO FOLSOM

Join us for City Works Day from 9:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 17 and learn about the equipment and skills required to maintain a city. Check out the city’s construction equipment, police vehicles, dump trucks, tractors, garbage truck, chipper truck, fire engines, and more!

Visitors of all ages can experience the city’s work vehicles for viewing, exploring, and even honking! City staff will share knowledge about their programs and professions.

This free event will showcase the city’s wide variety of programs, amenities, and services during National Public Works Week.

Folsom City Works Day is held in advance of National Public Works Week. Every year, the Folsom Public Works Department celebrates City Works Day to commemorate the achievements of Public Works in the daily lives of Folsom residents and celebrate and recognize public works endeavors in cities across the nation.

FOLSOM FIGHTS SUMMER HEAT WITH URBAN FORESTRY

Summer is nearly upon us, promising sunshine and rising temperatures. Urban areas often face an additional challenge during this season — the Urban Heat Island Effect. This phenomenon, characterized by warmer temperatures in cities than in surrounding areas, results from buildings, roads, and other infrastructure absorbing and retaining heat from the sun. A lack of cooling vegetation, such as trees and plants, can exacerbate this effect.

Folsom's urban forest plays a pivotal role in combating city heat. Trees not only provide shade but also reduce temperatures through a process called evapotranspiration, where plants release water vapor, thus cooling their surroundings. The preservation and expansion of our urban forest is crucial to maintaining Folsom's comfortable climate.

As we approach the warmer months, you can contribute to keeping Folsom cool by planting a tree. The City of Folsom, in partnership with the Sacramento Tree Foundation, provides residents with free trees for their homes or businesses. To request your free shade trees, please visit the Sacramento Tree Foundation's website. Together, we can ensure Folsom stays cool and green this summer. 

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR ALDER CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The Folsom Cordova Unified School District is preparing to break ground on Folsom's newest elementary school. The district will host a groundbreaking ceremony at 5 p.m. on May 16 for Alder Creek Elementary School, 4545 Old Ranch Way, Folsom.

This event marks an important milestone in expanding Folsom's educational infrastructure. Alder Creek Elementary School, once completed, will play a crucial role in shaping the future of education for Folsom's youngest residents.

The district encourages community members to attend the event. Attendees should wear flat, closed-toe shoes. Parking will be facilitated on the neighboring streets.

FOLSOM OFFERS FREE COMPOST FOR SPRING GARDENING

Spring is here, and the Waste & Recycling Division is excited to support Folsom residents with free, self-serve compost for use in home gardens and landscapes. The compost has become very popular in the last few weeks as the seasonal demand is high. We have a few tips to remember so these compost piles can continue to be a resource for everyone in the community.

Compost is available on a first-come, first-served basis. City staff monitors and refills the piles regularly. As local supplies deplete, more compost is ordered — a process that can take a few days. We appreciate your patience during this busy season!

The self-serve stations require residents to bring their shovels and containers for transportation. Shovel your own compost from the following locations:

• Behind Folsom City Hall, 50 Natoma Street
• Hinkle Creek Nature Trail near Fire Station 36

Compost is a soil amendment best mixed with existing soil to improve water retention, texture, and overall soil quality. It can also be applied on the ground to insulate the soil underneath, reduce evaporation, and regulate temperature. Please note compost can shock plants if not mixed well or applied correctly.

This valuable organic product is part of SB 1383, the legislation that requires all organic material to be diverted from landfills. By bringing compost back to the community, we close the loop on organics recycling, which begins with resident participation in the Green Bin program. More information about compost can be found at www.folsom.ca.us/organics.

FOLSOM BOULEVARD BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN OVERCROSSING STUDY UNDERWAY

Community Questionnaire Ends May 14



To improve safety and close a gap in the Humbug-Willow Creek Trail system, the City of Folsom Parks & Recreation Department has begun a feasibility study for a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Folsom Boulevard between Blue Ravine Road and Glenn Drive. The city was awarded an American Rescue Plan Act grant to fund this study, which will identify the preferred alignment location and a conceptual architectural design of the bridge. The goal of the feasibility study is to identify a safe, convenient, and cost-effective active transportation connection across Folsom Boulevard, linking transit, neighborhoods, businesses, and recreational attractions such as the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area.

The city has identified four preliminary alignment alternatives for the overcrossing. To gather input from the public, the city is hosting an Online Community Questionnaire until May 14. For more information, email Project Manager Brett Bollinger or call 916-461-6632.

SMART CYCLING CLASS

Join Gina Silvernale, an instructor with the League of American Bicyclists, for this two-part class for ages 18+. Training will consist of three hours of classroom learning, teaching cyclists how to coexist with traffic. The six-hour on-bike session includes a ride to practice newly learned skills and the rules of the road. This class is for those who already know how to ride a bike; it is not a “learn to ride” class, and not for E-bikes. Class is designed for those currently riding on a regular basis (i.e., a few times per month). The classroom session will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 18, and the on-bike session from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 20. The registration fee is $75 for Folsom residents; learn more and register online. Call 916-461-6601 with questions.

TAP INTO YOUR CREATIVE SIDE WITH FINE ARTS PROGRAMS 

The process of creating art can be a great stress reliever for all ages. Artistic activities are known to promote mental calmness and improve focus as you concentrate on the details of what you’re creating. Folsom Parks & Recreation offers a variety of fine arts programs, including painting, drawing, and photography for kids and teens; to many different painting classes, printmaking, drawing, and photography for adults and seniors. There’s even a fresh flower lei-making class for ages 10 through adult! Find the art program that’s just right for you and register online. Call 916-461-6601 with questions.

HICAP PROGRAM FOR SENIORS

HICAP is a non-profit agency dedicated to assisting current and soon-to-be Medicare beneficiaries. HICAP’s highly-trained volunteer counselors are registered with the California Department of Aging and can help you with questions or problems relating to Medicare (Parts A, B, C & D), Medicare billing and claims, supplemental insurance, and Long Term Care insurance. This program is for ages 65+ (or soon to be eligible for Medicare) or disabled adults who receive Medicare benefits. In-person appointments are available on select Tuesdays at the Folsom Senior Center, 48 Natoma Street. Call 916-376-8915 to schedule an in-person or phone appointment. There is no fee for this service.

988 SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE: CALL, TEXT, OR CHAT

There is hope. People experiencing mental health crises need to remember just three numbers to dial for help: 988. The 988 Lifeline provides free, confidential support to people experiencing suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The Lifeline is available 24/7 and helps thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day.

The federal number, which is available throughout California and eventually throughout the country—is billed as an alternative to 911 for people experiencing mental health emergencies. The new number makes it simpler for people in crisis to tap into the state’s network of 13 Lifeline call centers.

People can call, text 988, or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. The 988 Lifeline serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.

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