Politics & Government

County Supervisor Responds To Schweitzer Grove Debate

Sacramento County District 3 Supervisor, Susan Peters responds to debate over the decision made by Carmichael Recreation and Parks District representatives' decision to discontinue "active use" of the area.

Editor's note: A recent Carmichael Recreation and Parks District decision to cease disc golf and other activities in the popular Albert Schweitzer Nature Area has resulted in parties taking passionate stances for keeping the area open to activities and those that feel the right decision was made. The resulting debate has grown fierce, not only in public meetings, but on Fair Oaks Patch. In response to the debate Sacramento County District 3 Supervisor, Susan Peters sent this letter to Fair Oaks Patch in the hopes to offer more insight and quell debate on the subject. The below letter has been unedited and is presented in its entirety.

Thank you for sharing your concerns about the decision by the Carmichael Recreation and Park District to end disc golf play at the Schweitzer Grove Nature Area.

The 17.2 acre site is identified in the Park District's Master Plan as an ideal setting for passive uses consistent with being a nature area. I can understand your disappointment about the decision but please understand that the Park District is not opposed to disc golf. In this situation, the Park District did not think that sort of recreational activity was appropriate in a nature area without adequate support facilities such as parking and restrooms.

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Please recognize that the Park District did offer to work with the disc golf club to have a facility at Carmichael Park. I recently learned from the Park District's administrator that the club has taken the district up on its offer and both (the district and the club) are working toward having a new course in place soon.

Following the Park District's master plan ensures the district continues to provide high-quality, well-managed, well-maintained parks and recreation facilities now and into the future. Moving disc golf from Schweitzer Grove to Carmichael Park should preserve the nature area for its intended passive use while providing disc golfers access to a course with the requisite facilities that can accommodate a more engaged form of recreation. Such an arrangement should benefit both interests and I encourage you to contact Park District Administrator Jack Harrison for more information. The Park District's telephone number is 485-5322.

Find out what's happening in Fair Oaks-Carmichaelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sincerely,

SUSAN PETERS 
Supervisor, Third District


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