William Pond Recreation Area, ARP
Waiver and Sign-Up Required
- You must sign an annual Electronic Liability Waiver in advance of joining SacValley Chapter Friday Walks. Signing an Electronic Liability Waiver is a permanent change required statewide by the California Native Plant Society. Please note that signing the waiver for SacValley Chapter Friday Walks applies only to our chapter’s Friday Walks and does not cover SacValley Chapter Field Trips or any events or field trips offered by other CNPS chapters. Once you have signed the SacValley Chapter Friday Walks waiver, it is valid through the end of the current calendar year. If this is your first Friday Walk of 2025, you will need to complete a new Liability Waiver.
- For now, a limited number of participants can join each Friday Walk. The limit is currently 20 participants and one leader.
Walks are held unless heavy rain, extreme heat or very poor air quality are forecast. Cancellation notices posted by 7PM Thursday.
Friday, November 14, 9:15am-11:45am, William Pond Recreation Area, ARP
Note: If this is your first Friday Walk in 2025 read the Waiver and Sign-up section at the top of the Friday Walks page.
Enjoy a winter walk at William Pond Recreation Area. We will meet at the parking area just past the entrance booth. We will head west to the pond platform of William Pond and then return along the path going down to where part of the river flows into the pond. We will then follow a path back closer to the river and then return along a trail closer to the river. Then we will walk back to the parking area. We should see some new growth but doubt anything will be in bloom. The walk is about 2.5 miles. A variety of birds should be seen, so some might want to bring binoculars. Email John Schmidt for more information if this is your first Friday Walk of 2025. You will need to sign a Liability Waiver at the meeting area. Or you can call John 916-500-8456 (mobile) for more information.
Parking is $7 or use an Annual Parks Passport.
There are rest facilities about 200 yards past the meeting area and others near the pond observation deck of the walk.
The $70 Parks Passport supports your County Parks system. More Pass information is on-line. Note there is a new $35 Senior Parks Pass for those of 65 and older. These are for sale at the Sacramento County Park office in Rancho Cordova or at maned entrance stations. Cash only at the entrance station.
Bring water, hat, snack, sturdy footwear and weather protection. Many may wish to carry a walking stick for the cobble area.
Meet near the teardrop on this map which is in the first restroom area or use the directions below.
William Pond directions from downtown Sacramento:
– Take Highway 50 East to Watt Ave, exit #11
– Watt Ave North
– Right on Fair Oaks Blvd
– Right on Arden Way
– At the end of Arden Way you’ll enter the American River Parkway at William Pond
– Even if no one is working at the Entrance Kiosk, be sure to self-register your vehicle ($7) unless you have an annual Parks Passport.
– Park in the parking area just past the entrance booth.
If you are coming from east of Hazel Avenue it might be quicker to park at the River Bend parking area and walk across the bridge to William Pond Park. It’s about 12 minutes to walk to this parking area.
Masks are not required but if you are more comfortable wearing a mask, please do.
Please try to be on time. We’ll try to start walking at 9:30am.