By Sara Beth Williams–
The City of Citrus Heights is inviting residents to learn more about a proposed extension of the Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail later this month, as plans move forward to expand the city’s trail network with a new segment along Arcade Creek.
The proposed Mariposa Extension would add one half of a mile of multi-use trail between Sayonara Drive and Mariposa Avenue, continuing the city’s long-term goal of creating a connected system of pedestrian and bicycle trails.
Residents will have an opportunity to review the proposed design, ask questions, and provide feedback during a community workshop scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Sayonara Community Center, 7836 Sayonara Drive.
The project is fully funded by a Caltrans Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant. ATP grant funding can only be used for projects that increase active transportation, such as walking and biking.
A preliminary proposed trail route is available on the city’s website, and according to the city, the exact trail alignment is still being developed. The project limits are shown in red on a preliminary map, which can be seen here.
According to the city, the project would include a 10-foot-wide paved multi-use trail, four creek crossings, trail lighting, ADA-compliant curb ramps, drainage improvements, landscaping, and a new marked crosswalk with a Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon at Sayonara Drive.
City officials said the workshop will allow attendees to view the proposed trail alignment, learn about planned features, and speak directly with members of the project team before the project advances.
The trail extension being proposed follows public discussion earlier this year regarding improvements along Arcade Creek. During a City Council meeting in November 2025, two residents expressed concerns about flooding in the creek corridor, urging the city to ensure any future improvements adequately address drainage and flood impacts. The proposed Mariposa Extension includes drainage improvements among its planned project elements.
In July, the City Council approved environmental studies for the city’s first trail extension project, which proposes constructing a trial from Sylvan Road to Stock Ranch Nature Preserve. The two trail extensions ultimately propose connecting the Arcade-Cripple Creek trail with the existing multi-use trails in Stock Ranch Nature Preserve.
During a workshop in June regarding the Sylvan-Stock Ranch trail extension project, Citrus Heights Senior Civil Engineer Daniel Kehrer said residents were generally excited for the trail extension project, and those who were concerned expressed concerns about the Mariposa Avenue trail extension project.
In 2022, the city received Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant funding for the design, environmental documentation, and construction of the Mariposa Extension Project. Matching and leveraging funds are derived from city staff time and Measure A Bike and Pedestrian funding, according to the city.
Though often calculated at 2.9 miles, the total Arcade-Cripple Creek trail length is over four miles when counting the third-of-a-mile existing trail in Arcade Creek Park Preserve and the three-quarter-mile trail through Mitchell Village, both of which connect to the newly constructed 2.9-mile trail that opened to users in May 2024.
With two new trail extensions, the trail could be extended by another mile, in addition.
Users of the trail can currently walk or ride from Arcade Creek Park Preserve all the way to the northeastern outskirts of the city at Wachtel Way, near the Roseville border.
Community members interested in attending the upcoming workshop are encouraged to register in advance through the city’s online registration page, though registration is not required to participate.
The Sayonara Community Center is located at 7836 Sayonara Drive.
