Volunteer ‘Park Sketchers’ pilot proposed to activate underused Sacramento parks

Jennifer Holden, a Mangan Park Neighborhood Association leader, presented a volunteer-led Park Sketchers pilot that would invite residents to gather in neighborhood parks to sketch, paint and share artwork as a way to build community connections and activate underused spaces.

"Any art medium isn't welcome as long as it's nontoxic," Holden said, describing an hour-to-three-hour, family-friendly format that requires minimal supplies and emphasizes inclusivity. Staff said the program is a pilot to be incorporated into existing 9/16 Day events and other city activities and that, for now, there is no dedicated budget.

Sarah Musser, park maintenance superintendent, said the target is to hold roughly 10 Park Sketchers events across eight council districts and up to 10 months, using neighborhood associations to nominate parks. Staff described the pilot as volunteer-led with potential joint marketing between Park Sketchers and 9/16 Day outreach.

Commissioners asked whether the program would require registration, what staff time or marketing would be needed and whether it should be run through existing community-center or council partner channels. Staff said they would refine logistics—including whether preregistration is required—and noted the pilot is intended to be low-cost and leverage community partners.

The commission received and discussed the item; no vote was required. Commissioners suggested exploring grant or nonprofit partnerships for future expansion and recommended staff return with clarifications if the pilot scales beyond minimal staff time.