River Park, a subset of East Sacramento, is set in a prime location where 3,871 residents call home. River Park is surrounded by the American River to its North & East, Sacramento State University to its South, and East Sacramento to its West. While East Sac offers a suburban-urban feel due to its grid streets and proximity to midtown, River Park’s winding streets and ranch-style homes boast more of a suburban environment (minus the commute and cookie-cutter homes experienced by many newer suburbs in the Sacramento region). The median sales price throughout the last three months is $625,000. And, yes, I shamelessly found an excuse to include my dog in the photo below.
River Park’s unique location between East Sac and Arden-Arcade allows its residents to enjoy a wide variety of activities. First of all, there are multiple shopping centers within 5 minutes of the community. The UV Center includes restaurants such as Buckhorn Grille, Zocolo, and Pieology Pizzeria. The higher-end Pavilions Shopping Center houses restaurants like Wildwood Kitchen, Cafe Bernardo, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House; it is also home to shopping such as Williams Sonoma, Julius Clothing, and Hamilton Jewelers. If you prefer to cook at home, two Savemarts, a Raley’s, and a Safeway are also within 5 minutes of River park for your grocery shopping. If you’re looking for a night on the town, a ten-minute drive to Midtown has you covered! For those of you who love a competitive game of golf, Campus Commons Golf Course is right across the river.
The sense of community within River Park is like no other. According to niche.com, River Park Ranks 2/86 best neighborhoods in Sacramento to raise a family. Glenn Hall Park contains tennis courts, a play structure, a pool, and a soccer field for the neighborhood families to enjoy. This is also the home field where the River Park Little League Soccer Team plays. Glenn Hall Park hosts “Pops in the Park,” where local bands play outdoors during summer evenings and local cuisines & businesses sell their items and food; this is certainly a favorite neighborhood activity! Furthermore, miles of American River bike trails border the neighborhood so that you can take advantage of the river and California’s gorgeous weather!
There are many options for both public and private schools for River Park's children and teenagers. Caleb Greenwood Elementary School is for grades K-6 and scores an 8/10; it is also ranked as an International Baccalaureate school, where it is “more dedicated than ever to developing international education that creates a better world.” River Park’s middle school is Sutter Middle School in East Sac, which ranks 7/10. The assigned high school is Rosemont High with a ranking of 6/10; however, many families are able to send their children to Rio Americano High School (shout out to my school) in Arden-Arcade with a rating of 7/10. There are also private options available! Sacred Heart Parish School in East Sac, St. Francis Elementary in Midtown, Courtyard Private School in Midtown, and St. Ignatius Parish School (shoutout to my other school) in Arden-Arcade all teach grades Pre-K through 8. St. Francis High School in East Sac, Jesuit High School just 10 minutes away in Carmichael, and Christian Brothers 15 minutes away in Oak Park are all private options for grades 9-12.
River Park has a special place in my heart. I have a parent, a brother, an aunt, and other family members who live there; we have created many memories in this community throughout my childhood and, now, my adulthood. One specific individual I want to recognize is my family’s neighbor, Kathy (who has become family). She has an interesting story because Kathy actually grew up in River Park; moreover, after living all over the country for years with her husband in the military, she returned to the same exact house in which she grew up! Before her home was built, Kathy’s parents bought the lot in 1951 for just $750 with 20% down! She provided me with a copy of the original advertisement for the neighborhood, which was called “Orchard Terrace” at that time because the community used to be a citrus grove.
Shelley Hescock is another individual I would like to recognize. She was also a fellow REALTOR® at Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate in Sacramento and lost her courageous battle with cancer in April of 2020. Shelley and her husband Rex were a real estate duo who were beloved by not only everyone in my office, but also in the River Park Community. While I did not have the privilege of crossing paths with her, I wanted to include a photo of her River Park memorial at Glenn Hall Park below.
A very special THANK YOU for taking the time to read my article!
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