REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 17 FOR SUMMER DAY CAMPS 

Preview the variety of great summer camp options now so that you’re ready with your selections when registration opens at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 17. Folsom Parks & Recreation summer day camps include the new Destination Recreation camp for kids who love to stay busy and active, zookeeper camps, STEM camps, academic and enrichment camps, Summer CAVE for teens, and a huge variety of sports-focused camps.

You can also preview the full lineup of summer events, activities, and programs for all ages in the digital Rec Guide. Registration for all summer programs begins April 17. Register for camps and summer programs online at webtrac.folsom.ca.us or call 916-461-6601 for details.

The 11th annual Community Service Day takes place Saturday, September 21. This major citywide event mobilizes hundreds of volunteers to complete dozens of service projects throughout Folsom that make a positive, lasting impact. Do you have a great idea for a Community Service Day project? The deadline is June 28 to submit your idea for consideration.

A variety of sponsorship opportunities are also available to help support this wonderful community event; call Jen Thiot at 916-461-6712 or email jthiot@folsom.ca.us for more details.

Find more information about Community Service Day at folsomcommunityservice.org.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

Join the City of Folsom for our Earth Day celebration! This free, family-friendly event brings the community together through volunteerism, fun activities, and inspiring exhibits that raise environmental awareness. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate our vibrant city and get involved by volunteering and learning about solutions to address environmental concerns in our community. The event will begin with volunteer opportunities followed by an informational and fun festival near City Hall. Earth Day is a worldwide annual celebration dedicated to raising awareness and appreciation for the planet’s environment and advocating for environmental protection. Learn more and sign up to volunteer at www.folsom.ca.us/EarthDay.

Earth Day Celebration

Saturday, April 20

• Earth Day Cleanup: 9 a.m. to noon
• Earth Day Festival: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 48 Natoma Street

FOLSOM WATER VISION MEETING 

The Environmental and Water Resources Department is embarking on an effort to shape the city's water management strategies for the next 50 years. Currently reliant on Folsom Reservoir for drinking water, the city recognizes the need to explore alternatives in anticipation of future challenges like droughts and floods.

The city’s first stakeholder meeting saw over 50 participants sharing valuable feedback on what matters to them regarding Folsom's water. From concerns to desired changes, every opinion counts. Details and a recording of the workshop are available on the city’s website.

The community is invited to the second in a series of public meetings to learn about the project and share your needs, interests, and goals for creating a resilient water future.

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16

Folsom Police Department Training Room

46 Natoma Street

For more information, contact Environmental and Water Resources Director Marcus Yasutake at 916-461-6161 or myasutake@folsom.ca.us. Stay informed at www.folsom.ca.us/watervision.

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 clear of litter and debris.

Trail sections are adopted in one-mile segments. Adopters are required to make a one-year commitment with regular trail checks and cleanup days. There is no fee to adopt or participate in a cleanup day. The Friends of the Folsom Parkways serve as the Adopt-A-Trail Program Coordinator and are the main point of contact for questions and to provide assistance with the adoption process. Learn more about the Adopt-A-Trail program and start your adoption process today!

LOVE MY MOM FAMILY FITNESS EVENT

The 10th annual Love My Mom 5K and Kids’ Dash takes place Sunday, May 5. This popular event that celebrates family and community is presented by Folsom Parks & Recreation in partnership with the Palladio and Kaiser. The start and finish are located by Whole Foods, and the course route is fast and flat, making it an ideal route for runners, walkers, and stroller striders–leashed dogs are welcome, too. The fun Kids’ Dash for ages 10 and under will be held prior to the start of the 5K, with medals awarded to all registered participants.

Participants in the 5K will be electronically timed and special awards will be presented to top finishers in a variety of categories including single and double strollers, top mom, top female, and top male. All registered 5K participants will receive a special 10th anniversary finisher’s medal and other custom swag.

The post-race festivities take place in the Palladio Piazza, with a variety of vendor booths to explore, DJ music, delicious refreshments, and a raffle for high-value prizes. Save on registration: use code “CityNews” for a $5 discount on each 5K registration at raceroster.com.

Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteers are needed to help direct runners, distribute medals and provide finish line cheer, and many other tasks. Ages 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult; learn more about the volunteer positions and register online.

BUILD SWIM SKILLS WITH LEGO SWIM LESSONS

The Sea Squad Swim School is offering LEGO swim lessons—a unique lesson format designed to introduce kids ages 5 to 12 to swimming. These lessons provide an alternative for children who may not be ready to participate in a traditional swim lesson format. LEGO swim lessons incorporate the basic building blocks of swimming: front float, back float, blowing bubbles, and coordinated arm/leg action, with creative play, building, and sharing with LEGOs. The interactive play lesson format provides tactile and visual support to help students gain water confidence and build social and physical skills. Lessons begin in June and are held at the Steve Miklos Aquatic Center. Learn more and register online or call 916-461-6640 with questions.

FOLSOM LIBRARY PRESENTS: MASTER GARDENERS' GUIDE TO COMPOSTING 

The Folsom Public Library hosts a lighthearted presentation on how you can turn yard and kitchen waste—such as leaves, clippings, discarded vegetables, and fruit—into compost. On Saturday, April 13, at 1 p.m. at the Folsom Public Library, Master Gardeners of Sacramento County will explain how to keep your organic household waste out of landfills and get healthier plants in the process. This class on the basics of composting will include how to set up a compost bin, types of compost bins, where to place your bin, and more tips for success. Learn more about upcoming Library programs and events at www.folsom.ca.us/library.

As temperatures rise and the rainy season winds down, it's time to prepare our trees for the summer months. Here are a few tips to ensure your trees thrive:

• As shade trees start flowering and leafing out, minimize pruning to allow them to concentrate on food production and minimize exposure to pests and diseases in warmer weather.
• Take advantage of the remaining rain. Cut back on watering during rainy weeks, and consider mulching your trees. Mulch retains moisture from rainfall, ensuring trees remain hydrated as temperatures rise. It also insulates roots, reduces soil compaction, supplies nutrients, and suppresses weeds.

The City of Folsom offers residents free self-serve mulch and compost at these locations:

• Behind Folsom City Hall, 50 Natoma Street
• Hinkle Creek Nature Trail near Fire Station 36

Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please bring your shovel and container for transport.

For tips on proper mulching techniques, visit www.sactree.org.

The City of Folsom, in partnership with the Sacramento Tree Foundation and SMUD, provides free trees to residents. To register for a free tree, please visit www.sactree.org/programs/free-shade-trees.

YA AUTHOR TALK WITH MARGIE FUSTON AND ANGELA MONTOYA

Join the Folsom Public Library for a YA Author Talk with authors Margie Fuston and Angela Montoya at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 13. Margie Fuston will discuss her latest release, "The Revenant Games." Ruby's Books will be selling their titles. Don't miss this chance to meet the authors and explore the world of young adult literature! Visit the Folsom Public Library and the Friend's of the Folsom Library Bookstore at 411 Stafford Street. Learn more at www.folsom.ca.us/library.

NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH

April marks National Fair Housing Month, dedicated to ending housing discrimination and raising awareness of fair housing rights. This month also commemorates the passage of the federal Fair Housing Act in April 1968, established to eliminate discrimination in housing sales, rentals, and financing based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, and familial status.

To address any form of housing discrimination, the city's website offers many resources, including details on tenant and landlord rights and obligations, and guidance on fair housing matters. For more information about these resources, visit the Housing Resources page at www.folsom.ca.us/Housing.

Join us in supporting an end to housing discrimination:

• Educate yourself about the housing protections under the Fair Housing Act.
• Report any incidents of housing discrimination you encounter.
• Share your support on social media with the hashtag #NationalFairHousingMonth.

SAVE BIG WITH THE RACHIO 3 SMART SPRINKLER CONTROLLER PROGRAM

Get ready to supercharge your water savings and upgrade your sprinkler system with the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller program, brought to you by the City of Folsom in partnership with the Regional Water Authority and local water providers. City of Folsom water customers can purchase the Rachio 3 Controller at a 65% discount, helping you conserve water and reduce your utility bills.

The Rachio 3 Controller is like a smart thermostat for your sprinklers, harnessing local weather data to adjust your sprinkler runtimes. It automatically reduces watering during cooler weather and increases it when temperatures rise. Plus, you can conveniently manage it through the Rachio app on your smartphone.

By replacing your standard sprinkler controller with a WaterSense-labeled Rachio 3, you can save approximately 13,500 gallons of water per year in the average home. That's not only great for your wallet but also for the environment.

Normally retailing at around $220 for an eight-zone system, the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller is now available to residents for just $75, plus tax. Residents are responsible for installation costs.

This special offer is available for a limited time on a first-come, first-served basis, and it is only available until funding runs out. To find out more about the program, eligibility requirements, and access the application, visit folsom.ca.us/rebates.

City of Folsom Communications Director

Christine Brainerd | cbrainerd@folsom.ca.us | 916-461-6013 (office)

Get connected. Stay informed.

City of Folsom | 50 Natoma Street | www.folsom.ca.us