Anderson River Park

Rupert Road at Sacramento River
Anderson, CA

A community park along the Sacramento River in the City of Anderson.

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Why It Works

Anderson River Park is comprised of several sections that lend themselves to varied uses by residents of all age groups. The park's facilities include manicured soccer fields, lighted tennis courts, a large covered barbecue/picnic pavilion, horseshoe and bocce-ball pits, fishing ponds, a playground, scout hall, walking trails, Veteran's memorial garden, and an amphitheatre. The park is also home to the Shasta Wildlife Refuge, which shelters and rehabilitates wounded fauna from the area.

What Makes Anderson River Park a Great Place?

The Anderson River Park is accessible to the community by car, bus, boat, bicycle, or, for those willing to walk about 1/2 mile, by foot. The park is used by a great cross-section of this community of 9,000 people, as well as people who come from neighboring communities. One main two-way paved road loops through the park and provides access to parking, as well as to the park's many amenities.

Anderson River Park is a beautiful blend of natural surroundings and just enough landscaping to make it user friendly. Seating is provided at picnic tables and on large grassy lawns. The park is kept so clean that "Family Fun Fest" has replaced the former annual "park clean up day" because there was not enough trash to pick up. The City's Parks and Recreation Department maintains the park's beautiful condition year round. Security is provided for large events, but the park is very safe for family use year round. Parking areas are visible near the road, but are not dominant, and are not visible from many of the picnic areas.

Anderson River Park offers a variety of uses, and is used by a wide range of individuals, families and organizations. Individual and family uses include weddings, picnics and reunions. Organizational and group uses are well balanced between those that offer activities for a fee and those that are free community events. Examples of free events include multicultural fairs, the annual Labor Day Bar-B-Que, Family Fun Fest & Free Fishing Day, and Mosquito Serenade – a summer series of free community concerts sponsored by a variety of business, non-profit and private contributions. The park also hosts an annual Renaissance Faire and a Civil War Re-enactment, which draws paid attendance from all over the region.

Anderson River Park is the jewel of the community. Always included prominently in any "asset mapping," it is a place that is shown off with great pride to visitors. In a walk or ride through the park on a typical weekend, one will see numerous families enjoying sports, playground and picnic facilities, encounter an elderly couple or two taking a stroll, observe bicyclists enjoying the cool river breezes, and anglers fishing from the bank or drifting by in boats. Several times a year, you will find stage performances taking place at the amphitheatre, or see a young couple starting out in life at a beautiful outdoor wedding.

History & Background

A newly formed chapter of "Roots and Shoots," the Jane Goodall program, has dedicated itself to enhancing the River Park trails by identifying the flora and fauna, improving trail signage, and organizing environmental education activities. The Anderson Partnership for Healthy Children (which includes Parks and Recreation, Public Health, Child Abuse Prevention and numerous other local organizations) is starting a project to provide at least one monthly free physical activity for families by having various organizations commit to sponsoring one event per year. The Free Fishing Day has become a fundraiser for acquiring handicap access to the fishing ponds.

This nomination is submitted jointly by Michele Erickson, Project Coordinator, Anderson Partnership for Healthy Children and Sheryl Vietti, Community Development Coordinator, Shasta County Department of Public Health.

Contact Info:

Ken Hartman, Parks and Recreation Department Director

User Comments:

06/12/03 Pam Lewis said:: I have worked for City of Anderson Parks & Recreation Department for five years. It has been a pleasure to have such a wonderful assest as Anderson River Park. We provide a free summer program for youth 5-12 years of age at the park. It is a wonderful opportunity to introduce the youth to nature and the outdoors, they in turn bring their families out to share. The amphitheater provides a place for local youth bands to play at no cost. We host at least 4 concerts a year just for the youth. Personally, it is my private spot to escape during the day, being close into town and our office I take advantage of a nice cool walk by the river or a picnic lunch in the shade. Week-ends are saved for exploring the many miles of trails so I don't get lost with the kids! Thank you for sharing our beautiful park with the rest of the country! Pam Lewis
06/12/03 Debe Hopkins said:: The Anderson River Park is the pride and joy of our community. During the summer months the park plays host to a series of free summer concerts known as the "Mosquito Serenade" where thousands of music lovers gather once a week with picnics to enjoy a live performance and beautiful surroundings. It is a fabulous family event. The concerts are but one of the many wonderful uses we have for our park. It is a magnificent setting for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and class reunions. The park also plays host to "Paisano Days", an event put on by the Sons of Italy, An annual Renaissance Faire where the park is transformed into Sherwood Forrest, and many other such events where groups large and small gather to enjoy nature and each other. We are very proud of our park and pleased to be honored with this nomination. Debe Hopkins Executive Director Anderson Chamber of Commerce
06/12/03 Norma Comnick said:: I have lived in Anderson, Ca for 50 years and have had the pleasure of attending many events in the park including my Mom & Dad's 50th Anniversary Party. We have gorgeous oak and pine trees for shade, the river for a wonderful,peaceful setting. We have many free activities in our park for all ages. We are truly blessed to have such a beautiful place in our city where anyone can gather in crowds or just one. The Veterans Memorial is our tribute to them and includes a lighted flag pole. This was paid for by community donations It is not only beautiful but a great place to gather. Norma Comnick, Mayor - City of Anderson, Ca.