TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT COMPLETED ON FOLSOM LAKE CROSSING AND EAST NATOMA STREET

The Folsom Lake Crossing and East Natoma Street traffic safety enhancement project has been successfully completed. This project is part of the city's ongoing effort to improve safety, reduce accidents, and increase mobility in key corridors.

Metal beam median barriers were installed in three key locations:

• Folsom Lake Crossing between the auxiliary spillway and the Johnny Cash Bridge, spanning 1,625 feet.
• East Natoma Street, stretching from Folsom Lake Crossing to Gionata Way, covering 520 feet.
• Folsom Auburn Road between Folsom Dam Road and Pinebrook Drive, a distance of 840 feet.

These barriers were placed based on the findings of the city's Local Road Safety Plan. The project's scope also included: 

• Application of a rubberized friction surface treatment to enhance road safety.
• Radar speed feedback signs.
• Updated pavement markers and signage.

The Public Works Department is seeking additional federal funding to extend the median barrier throughout Folsom Lake Crossing. For more information about the project, contact Senior Civil Engineer Ryan Chance at 916-461-6713 or rchance@folsom.ca.us.

FOLSOM COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY

The 10th annual Community Service Day takes place Saturday, September 16. This major citywide event mobilizes thousands of volunteers to complete dozens of service projects throughout Folsom. Community Service Day needs more than 1,000 volunteers to complete projects throughout the city. Most of the projects don’t require any special skills other than a willingness to pitch in where needed and a desire to make a positive and lasting impact in the community. Early registration is encouraged as project teams fill quickly. Learn more and register to volunteer at www.folsomcommunityservice.org.

Community Service Day is organized by the City of Folsom, local businesses, and community organizations. The annual event is made possible thanks to generous sponsorship support from Intel, Dignity Health, Folsom Times, Lennar, Style Media Group, Lakeside Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Rotary Club of Folsom, The Folsom Telegraph, and other members of the business and service community.

Community Blood Drive

As part of Folsom Community Service Day, Vitalant is hosting a community blood drive from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 16 at Lakeside Church, 745 Oak Avenue Parkway in Folsom. The bloodmobile bus will be located in the parking lot. Schedule an appointment online in advance. The entire donation process takes about one hour; donors must be at least age 16.  For eligibility questions call Vitalant at 877-258-4825 or visit vitalant.org for more information. Your blood donation can help save a life!

Community Service Day Drive-Through Donation Drive

Local organizations are collecting needed items from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 16. Donations can be dropped off at the drive-through at Lakeside Church, 745 Oak Avenue Parkway.

Items being collected for local community groups include:

• Eyeglasses
• Toys and Gift Cards
• Shelter Pet Supplies
• Unused/Outgrown Youth and Adult Bicycles
• Purses
• Gift Wrapping Supplies
• Yarn and Fabric
• Toiletry Items
• Coats for All Ages

Citywide Food Drive

Folsom’s Community Service Day includes a citywide food drive to benefit the Twin Lakes Food Bank. Volunteers will drop off empty grocery bags and a list of needed nonperishable, unexpired food items to every household in Folsom. Place your filled bag on your driveway before 8 a.m. Saturday, September 16 for volunteers to pick up. Find more information about the food drive online.

Most-Needed Food Drive Items:

• Cereal
• Canned tuna and chicken
• Chili
• Pasta
• Canned ravioli
• Canned fruit
• Canned vegetables
• Nutrition supplement drinks (Ensure)
• Pasta sauce

TRADERS LANE PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER 

This September, the City of Folsom will begin an improvement project at the Traders Lane Parking Lot. The project, located along Leidesdorff Street, between Riley Street and Wool Street in Historic Folsom, is designed to improve safety, vehicle circulation, aesthetics, and accessibility for community members and visitors. 

The Traders Lane Parking Lot is an essential public parking space in the Folsom Historic District. Over time, it has endured wear and tear from regular use. The parking lot will be resurfaced, and crews will add new accessible parking spaces and a dedicated area for delivery truck parking. The entrance/exit closest to Riley Street will be removed to allow for additional parking spaces, and all future traffic will enter and exit the lot from Wool Street. An additional dumpster enclosure will be added to service the businesses of Sutter Street.

The improvement project will include the installation of new concrete tree wells around new trees and landscape irrigation. The project will remove the 12 existing mulberry trees nearing the end of their expected lifespan. In their place, 13 new drought-tolerant and parking lot-appropriate trees will be replanted this fall. The new trees will allow better streetlight distribution for increased safety while continuing to contribute to the vibrance of Historic Folsom as they grow.  

During the project, the parking stalls nearest the buildings will remain accessible, while all other parking stalls and vehicle circulation areas will be closed. The project is expected to last approximately two months. Motorists are encouraged to utilize the parking structure located at the intersection of Leidesdorff Street and Reading Street or seek available parking in other public lots within the Historic District. 

For more information, contact Assistant Civil Engineer Shane Rush at 916-461-6706 or srush@folsom.ca.us.

LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE FOR FREE WITH FOLSOM PUBLIC LIBRARY'S ONLINE RESOURCES

If you want to improve your language skills, the Folsom Public Library has a great solution. Mango Languages offers a free and convenient way to practice from the comfort of your own home for just 15 minutes a day. The self-paced curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including classroom terms, travel phrases, verb conjugation, and more. You can also use the Vocab Builder feature to review words you've already learned and prepare for assessments. To access this resource, visit the Folsom Public Library website. 

RIVER DISTRICT MASTER PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

The City of Folsom General Plan calls for the preparation of a River District Master Plan, with the goal of activating Folsom's expansive waterfront for improved access, recreation, and economic development. The City Council-established River District Master Plan Citizens Advisory Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, August 31, in the Folsom Public Library Meeting Room, 411 Stafford Street. The committee meetings are open to the public, and members of the public may address the committee on items on the agenda or Business from the Floor. The agenda will be posted on the River District webpage in advance of the meeting.  

NATURAL SCIENCE SEMINAR

GOLDEN STATE SNAKES: WHY THEY’RE WORTH PROTECTING

Join conservation biologist Michael G. Starkey to learn why snakes are critically important animals for our world despite their unwarranted reputation. Michael uses his knowledge of snake ecology, positive attitude to inspire, and enthusiasm for snake conservation to engage the public with protecting these beautiful animals. The seminar will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 13 at the Rotary Clubhouse, 7150 Baldwin Dam Road. Ages 10 through adult are welcome to attend; learn more and register online.

MULCHING TREES: THE BEST AND WORST MATERIALS TO USE

Mulching trees is a great way to care for them, but not all mulch materials are equal. Natural wood chips are the best option for mulching, as they retain moisture, block weeds, and provide nutrients to the soil. Compost, bark, and cardboard are also good options. Grass and permeable landscape fabric are not ideal, while artificial turf, rocks, gravel, plastic weed block, and rubber are the worst options. These materials can heat up the soil and increase watering needs while providing no nutrients to the soil. 

Did you know that you can get free mulch and compost? Folsom residents can take advantage of this opportunity at two self-serve stations. Bring your own shovel and containers for transportation and visit one of the following locations:

• Behind City Hall (50 Natoma St., behind the rear parking lot, near the cell tower)
• Next to Fire Station 36 (next to the sandbag location on Oak Avenue Parkway)

Mulch and compost are available on a first-come, first-served basis. City staff monitor and refill the piles regularly. As local supplies deplete, more compost is ordered—a process that can take a few days.

Learn more. 

INFORMATIVE WORKSHOP ON RETIREMENT TAX PLANNING 

Adults age 50+ are invited to register for this informative workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 13. Presenter Bill Corley is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Retirement Income Certified Professional.® He has taught retirement planning classes at the Folsom Senior Center for more than 7 years. 

Retirement is full of surprises that we can’t control, like inflation and health care costs, but with careful planning you can avoid common tax mistakes. In this workshop you will learn how to avoid taxes on your withdrawals, mandatory distributions, and Social Security. Question/answer period is included.

The workshop takes place at the Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma Street; the fee is $19/person and advance registration is required. Call 916-461-6601 with questions.

SUMMER PLAYGROUND SAFETY TIPS

Folsom Parks & Recreation reminds families to monitor the temperature of playground equipment before allowing children to touch, climb, swing, or slide. Even if outdoor temperatures are moderate, someone should always do a touch-test before allowing kids to play on any outdoor equipment. On warm days, visit the playground earlier in the morning before play surfaces get hot, or later in the evening after they’ve cooled down. Also, children should keep their shoes on while playing.

The city’s three spray parks—located at Kemp, Livermore, and Nisenan parks—are a fun way for kids to actively cool off on hot days. The spray features are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through the end of September.

FOLSOM’S ADOPT-A-TRAIL PROGRAM

Help Maintain Our Beautiful Trails

The Adopt-A-Trail program was developed by Folsom Parks & Recreation to provide the opportunity for community members and organizations to beautify, restore, and help maintain the city's treasured trail system. Through the dedication of our volunteers, the trail system receives the extra attention needed to help keep the trails maintained.

Trail sections are adopted in one-mile segments. Adopters are required to make a one-year commitment with regular trail checks and workdays. Individuals, groups, or businesses can opt to sponsor their favorite section of trail. The annual required donation amount is $1,000 per trail section, or $4,000 for a five-year term. The sponsorship funds will be used for the continued maintenance and upkeep of the section selected by the sponsor. Adopters and sponsors are acknowledged on signage at the sponsored trail section. Learn more about the Adopt-A-Trail program online.

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