Upper Land Park Neighbors Blog

Greetings all! It is unbelievably hot in Sacramento but the Fourth of July always gets kids outside. And just across Riverside is a decades-long tradition! It's the Govan parade!

Our friends at LPCA are putting the event on and, while it's not in Upper Land Park, it's most definitely close enough to crash! This year, Upper Land Park Neighbors and Slow Down Sacramento are sponsoring the barricades and parade route. And it's going to be EXTRA special this year!

We will have two routes, a bigger one for older kids who want to go fast and do older kid stuff. But we will also have a route for younger children (and tired parents) that will be a very realistic roundabout. The Kid-a-Bout will be located WITHIN the intersection of Robertson and Govan.

Why is this so special? Well, the City of Sacramento Department of Public Works and City Council are looking into a project to bring mini-roundabouts to Sacramento. They look simple but are wonders of engineering and safety. And Upper Land Park has a great candidate intersection at Swanston and Riverside, just a couple blocks away! With community support, we can make things safer for all the kids at Crocker-Riverside!

Some come, take some laps, and have fun before it gets too hot. And, please, learn more about these mini roundabouts here! We'd love your support!

That's all! Happy 4th!

Govan Parade

July 4, 9-11am

On Govan Way, between Perkins Way and Swanston Dr.

Rescheduled: Monday, March 18 at 5:30pm via Zoom

We are proud to invite a local Sacramento organization to come present their idea to make housing more affordable. They are the Sacramento Community Land Trust and will be presenting over Zoom.

The Executive Director of the organization will give a short presentation about the Land Trust and how it might partner with SHRA public housing or other locations to create homes that are permanently affordable to give people a chance to own their own homes.

A community land trust (CLT) is a nonprofit organization stewarding land for the permanent benefit of low income communities. Community land trusts are not a new idea and you may be more familiar with them than you think. The City of Irvine, for example, is a Community Land Trust. There are, however, many smaller examples throughout the United States. You can view an extensive list here.

The land is community-controlled with its use directed by residents and neighbors. Possible uses include: affordable homes for purchase, price-stable rental and cooperative housing, community-benefitting commercial space, childcare and eldercare, urban agriculture, public greenspace and more.

However, the heart of their work is the creation of homes that remain permanently affordable, providing successful homeownership opportunities for generations of lower income families.

Please send an email to heyneighbor@ulpn.org for the Zoom link.

Photo credit: Rosemary Milich

Hello, everyone! Our attentive neighbor, Rosemary, has brought a "spooky" topic to our attention just in time for our spookiest holiday! She embarked on an investigation to uncover the truth. I'm thrilled to share her discoveries and provide guidance on the actions you can take.

I'm sure all Upper Land Park residents have noticed the striking transformation of the Odd Fellows Lawn Cemetery while passing by on Riverside. The fencing's brilliant white hue is a significant departure from the familiar black fencing that has become a part of our landscape. Curious about this remarkable change, Rosemary took it upon herself to find answers to the questions that echoed in all our minds. Shelly, the cemetery's office manager, had some answers.

Before we delve into the details, let's establish some context. The "Cemetery" we see is not just a single entity but a complex of three distinct cemeteries: Odd Fellows Lawn, Masonic Lawn, and Sacramento Historic City Cemetery. Each of these cemeteries operates autonomously under separate boards. Fortunately, the collaboration between them provides a serene and exquisitely landscaped experience for every visitor. Whether you are captivated by our city's rich history or seeking solace as a family member with loved ones interred there, this unified effort ensures a pleasant environment.

Shelly reassured Rosemary that the current white paint is merely a primer coat. HOWEVER, the Odd Fellows Lawn Board will decide upon a color for the top coat of paint soon. The ULPN Board unanimously voted to submit a letter to recommend the classic black color. We all agreed that the white provides a jarring visual barrier to those passing by. While a barrier may be preferred for many cemeteries, the unique historic nature of this complex makes it an integral part of our community. I myself grew up in Southern California near a cemetery. I've never found them to be spooky. Rather, they're an oasis of peaceful reflection and provide an important community service. My mom also decided it was the safest place for me to train for my driving permit.

What to do about the fencing? That depends on you! If you would like to share your opinion, you can send a letter to the Odd Fellows Lawn Board of Directors. They will be voting soon so act now or forever rest in hold your peace. The board does NOT have an an e-mail option. You can either:

• Drop your letter off at the main gate
• Send your letter to the following address:
  Board of Directors
  Odd Fellows Lawn Cemetery
  2720 Riverside Blvd.
  Sacramento, CA 95818

Thank you for reading and thank you, Rosemary, for your efforts on behalf of our community!

Update Nov. 6: Black seems to be the new white. The newly-painted portions look fresh and clean and back in black. We may be odd fellows for caring but we care about our "eternally silent" neighbors too! Thank you, Rosemary, for helping your community!

Welcome to our new website! I haven't developed a web page since Geocities was popular so please be gentle as I try and fail and try and fail and hopefully eventually succeed in creating something inexpensive yet informative.

Or anyone with web development and/or social experience is welcome to volunteer! (hint hint)

Stay tuned as we celebrate, improve, and discover our wonderful neighborhood. If you have any ideas for local content, please submit them!

Hope to see you around until I'm replaced by Chat-GPT.

-Matt