Sacramento’s first cherry blossom park on track to open during summer 2024, officials say
(FOX40.COM) — Although it’s now referred to as America’s Farm-to-Fork capital, Sacramento was once known as the “City of Trees,” and rightfully so.
However, Sacramento may want to consider reverting to its original nickname once summer rolls around because the city’s first cherry blossom park is expected to open around that time, officials say.
Laura Garcia, the director of development for the Sacramento Tree Foundation, said the organization expects to open the Hanami Line Park to the public in either June or July of 2024.
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“We were shooting for a spring open date, but because of a couple of unplanned and unavoidable construction delays last fall, and the series of storms we’ve had over the last few months, we anticipate the park will be open to the public in late June/early July,” she said.
Garcia adds that the cherry trees should be planted by mid-April, but the timeline could be adjusted based on the weather.
“If we experience more storms, it may be delayed by another week or so,” she said.
The Hanami Line Park broke ground on June 29 and promises to “connect Sacramento’s love of trees with the rich cultural heritage of the region along the Sacramento River.”
The Hanami Line at Robert T. Matsui Park rendering The Hanami Line at Robert T. Matsui Park rendering The Hanami Line at Robert T. Matsui Park watercolor rendering
The park’s website says Hanami Line will be around 1.5 acres and will be easily seen from Interstate 5. The park will also be within walking distance of The Railyards and the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity.
Upon its opening in 2024, visitors will see the many ‘one-of-a-kind features’ displayed among the park’s abundance of cherry trees. These features include:
The Matsuyama Dori walkway will lead visitors from the foot of an iconic lighted sculpture along seigaiha, wave-patterned pavers, and art-infused inlays, on a path pointing directly toward Sacramento’s Japanese sister city, Matsuyama.
Varying in design from urban to organic, four separate bosques, or mini forests will be present. Seating elements are scattered throughout and placed to accommodate a myriad of events from small family picnics to large outdoor concerts. The park will also include nearby benches created from local fallen trees milled by the Tree Foundation’s Urban Wood Rescue program.
Japanese parasol-inspired shade structures will provide visitors with protective seating options throughout the park, so visitors will have a place to sit during the changing seasons.
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