Category Archives: Environment

Growing the Canopy, One Tree at a Time

Rose Luther and the able crew.

McKinley Park Tree Planting — January 10, 2026

Please red-circle the date for the next tree care and planting of 2026:

March 28, 2026

Nearly 70 volunteers gathered near the horseshoe pits at McKinley Park for a highly successful community tree-planting event. Working together, participants planted 14 new trees, including Cedrus deodara (Deodar Cedar) and Laurus nobilis (Bay Laurel)—a meaningful step toward strengthening the park’s long-term canopy and resilience.

This event reflects a strong partnership between East Sacramento Preservation Neighborhood AssociationSacramento City ParksUrban Forestry ArboristsSacramento Tree Foundation, and SMUD, all working together to restore and enhance McKinley Park’s tree canopy.

The energy, teamwork, and shared commitment made for a memorable day.

Save the Date

Join us as we continue to grow the canopy—one tree, and one gathering, at a time.

Below Dennis Harris, Volunteer Coordinator, YPCE, (Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment)

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ESP Letter to SCUSD Regarding El Dorado School

November 14, 2025

Mr. Jasjit Singh

Sacramento City Unified School District

5735 47th Avenue
Sacramento, CA  95824

Dear Mr. Singh,

East Sacramento Preservation has served the neighborhood for more than twenty years. Our organization provides community service, scholarships for Umoja graduates, and design review in support of maintaining the vitality and character of East Sacramento.

At our recent Board meeting, a community member expressed concern about the future of the El Dorado School/McClaskey Adult Center campus. As this property lies within your Trustee Area Two and directly under your purview, our organization respectfully requests information about the district’s plans now that the McClaskey Adult Center is relocating.

The community member who brought this issue to our attention has attempted to contact you, other district representatives, and Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum but has been unable to obtain any clear information about the future of this building. 

In light of these concerns, East Sacramento Preservation, on behalf of its members and the neighborhood at large, asks that you please provide the following:

• What are the district’s general plans for the El Dorado/McClaskey Adult Center site?
• Will the facility continue to house classes or programs for any group of students?
• Is the district considering selling, surplussing, or repurposing the property in any way?
• What design review and community input process will the district offer regarding the long-term future of the building?

We understand that properties owned by California school districts are not easily sold or disposed of and that any such process is lengthy. Nevertheless, with the Adult Center moving out, the possibility of extended vacancies is of significant concern. The neighborhood strongly hopes to see the site remain an active, well-used center that benefits both students and the community.

Moreover, it is of critical importance to East Sacramento Preservation and to the surrounding neighborhood that we be included fully and transparently in any process involving the future use of this historic building.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. You may contact us by phone or email. We look forward to your response and would be happy to meet with you about this issue.

Sincerely,

Martin Palomar

Martin Palomar,

President, East Sacramento Preservation, Inc.

PO Box 191763, Sacramento, CA  95819

Phone: 916-202-8607
Email: martinpalomar@yahoo.com

www.eastsacpreservation.org.               

cc:

Phil Pluckebaum, District 4 Councilmember

Tara Jeane, 1st Vice President of Education, Area 1

Chinua Rhodes, 2nd Vice President of Education, Area 5

Jose M. Navarro, Board of Education Member, Area 3

April K Ybarra, Board of Education Member, Area 4

Taylor Kayatta, Board of Education Member, Area 6

Michael Benjamin, Board of Education Member, Area 7

Maggie Kemper, Student Board of Education Member

Lisa Allen, Superintendent

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