NEW FOLSOM PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR ANNOUNCED

The City of Folsom announces the selection of Kelly Gonzalez as its next Parks & Recreation Director, effective May 8. Gonzalez brings more than 23 years of experience in public service, administration, and parks and recreation. 

Gonzalez will oversee the operations of 48 parks, over 50 miles of paved trails, facilities, and recreation programs. She will manage current and future park development initiatives and serve as an advisor to the Folsom Parks & Recreation Commission. She will oversee the department’s 48 full-time and 200+ seasonal employees. 

“Kelly joins our leadership team with a wealth of experience in parks, recreation, leadership, and administration, as well as a proven track record of cultivating a strong sense of community,” said City Manager Elaine Andersen. “I am confident Kelly’s leadership and expertise will serve the Folsom community extremely well by providing abundant opportunities to learn, play, grow, and do.” 

Gonzalez served as a division head for the Cosumnes Community Services District for the past 16 years in both the Administration and Parks and Recreation Departments. The Cosumnes CSD serves a population of over 200,000 residents in South Sacramento County and provides emergency medical service, fire protection, parks, and recreation services. 

Her senior leadership roles included Director of Administration, Director of Business and Public Affairs, Superintendent of Recreation and Community Services, Management Analyst, and Recreation Manager. Gonzalez’s experience consists of facilitating the budget process, policy development, revenue generation, public affairs, facilities operations, program development, long-term planning, and building sustainable parks and recreation systems. 

Outgoing Parks & Recreation Director Lorraine Poggione retired April 28 after serving the City of Folsom for 21 years, the last five as director. 

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 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 CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS 5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN

The Folsom City Council unanimously approved a strategic plan that sets goals, strategies, and priorities to guide the city's work over the next five years. The action-oriented plan outlines the city's vision, mission, operating principles, and priority areas of focus aimed at supporting financial sustainability, increasing public safety resources, boosting economic and community development, and maximizing organizational effectiveness.

The plan outlines the City Council's core goals:

• Financial Stability and Sustainability: Support fiscal health through long-term planning, cost control, heightened efficiency, increased revenue, and cost recovery.
• Public Safety and Infrastructure: Enhance the provision of public safety resources; invest in technological solutions; and maintain, repair, and improve public facilities and infrastructure.
• Economic and Community Development: Promote effective use of existing amenities and resources to create future opportunities that enrich the community.
• Organizational Effectiveness: Build strong connections and support for the community and employees through a commitment to local government best practices and employee development, support, and retention to meet community needs.

The City Council's short-term priorities include:

• Identify a funding plan to expand police department facilities to meet department needs.
• Identify funding to increase police department staffing to meet community needs.
• Initiate technology solutions to streamline the organization and improve efficiency.
• Complete the River District Master Plan to enhance the city’s waterfront and waterfront-adjacent recreation and development opportunities.
• Develop a funding/sponsorship plan for the Johnny Cash Art Trail.

Learn more.

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 part in the free May 6 PedalQuest events. Little ones ages 5 years and under can register for the Balance Bike Bash obstacle course in Historic Folsom. Riders of all ages can choose their “quest” from routes ranging from 1.5 to 30 miles that showcase the city’s amazing trail system. Learn more and register.
• 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.

TRAFFIC ALERT: DELAYS ON NATOMA STREET AND RILEY STREET

A construction project is underway on Natoma Street between Riley Street and Bridge Street to replace an existing deteriorated storm drain pipe and upgrade drain inlets, manholes, and other drainage appurtenances to current standards. Construction will extend through the end of June, motorists should expect traffic delays with lane shifts and intermittent lane closures on Natoma Street and Riley Street during this time. Alternate routes are encouraged.  

FOLSOM BOULEVARD BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN OVERCROSSING STUDY UNDERWAY

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 12. For more information, email Project Manager Brett Bollinger or call 916-461-6632.

LOVE MY MOM FAMILY FITNESS EVENT SUNDAY

The 9th annual Love My Mom 5K and Kids’ Dash takes place Sunday, May 7. This popular event that celebrates family and community is presented by Folsom Parks & Recreation in partnership with the Palladio and Kaiser. New this year: the 5K course finish line and post-race festivities move to the Palladio Piazza. The starting line will still be located by Whole Foods, and the course route is fast and flat, making it an ideal route for runners, walkers, and stroller striders–leashed dogs are welcome, too. The fun Kids’ Dash for ages 10 and under will be held prior to the start of the 5K, with medals awarded to all registered participants.

Participants in the 5K will be electronically timed and special awards will be presented to top finishers in a variety of categories including single and double strollers, top mom, top female, and top male. All registered 5K participants will receive a custom dry-fit shirt and unique commemorative finisher’s medal. At the finish area, all participants can explore vendor booths, enjoy DJ music, and refuel with light refreshments. Save on registration: use code “CityNews” for a $5 discount on each 5K registration at raceroster.com. Stay up to date on all Love My Mom event details at facebook.com/folsomparksandrec.

Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteers are needed to help direct runners, distribute medals and provide finish line cheer, and many other tasks. Ages 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult; learn more about the volunteer positions and register online.

ANNUAL WEED ABATEMENT WORK IS UNDERWAY

Dry vegetation can create fire hazards during hot summer months. Folsom has more than 980 acres of city-owned open space, and nearly all of it is weed abated to achieve the required fire safety interface between residential structures and open spaces.

The City of Folsom requires defensible space of at least 30 feet from structures or the property line and the Fire Chief may increase this distance to 100 feet for high-hazard areas. These requirements apply to city-owned property and private property.

The city uses multiple ways to reduce or remove dry vegetation including maintenance staff, contractors, and grazing animals. Many Folsom residents are likely to see goat herds being used to clear areas in and around their neighborhood over the next few months. Goats will be used to clear 800 acres of open space in the city this year. The herds of fourlegged weed eaters are taking on hundreds of additional acres that were historically cleared with human work crews in the past.

The weed abatement schedule is based on fire hazard ratings determined by the Fire Chief. If you notice an area in need of weed abatement, first check the abatement schedules. If you’d like to report an unscheduled weed abatement need on vacant private property, use SeeClickFix Folsom or contact the Folsom Fire Department at 916-461-6300.

FREE COMPOST FOR FOLSOM RESIDENTS

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.

Compost is available on a first-come, first-served basis. City staff monitor and refill the piles regularly. More compost is ordered as local supplies are depleted; a process that can take up to a few days. We appreciate your patience during this busy season! 

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 top of soil to insulate the soil underneath, reduce evaporation, and regulate temperature. Compost can shock plants if not mixed well or applied properly. 

This valuable organic product comes to us as part of SB 1383, the legislation that requires all organic material to be diverted from landfills. Bringing compost back to the community closes 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.

LIBRARY WILL CLOSE MAY 9 TO 25 FOR CARPET REPLACEMENT 

The Folsom Public Library will close for carpet replacement from May 9 to 25. The Library will reopen Friday, May 26, for the beginning of the Summer Reading Challenge.

The new carpet will ensure that the Library is a beautiful and welcoming space for the community. The Georgia Murray Building, where the Library is located, opened in February 2007. In the 16 subsequent years, it has averaged 800 visitors a day, making a total of 3.5 million visits by residents and visitors. Those seven million feet have worn down the carpet in high-traffic areas.

Library card holders are encouraged to check out books, DVDs, and other materials before the library temporarily closes on May 9. Due dates will be extended to three weeks after reopening to June 16. 

Nearby partner libraries in Orangevale and Rancho Cordova remain open to meet your library needs during the closure. For more information, visit www.folsom.ca.us/library.

City of Folsom Communications Director

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

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