In 1956, a small neighborhood south of Sacramento made a decision that would shape generations. Families in Parkway Estates wanted more than houses on quiet streets. They wanted places where children could play, where neighbors could meet, and where community could take root. They chose not to wait for someone else to provide that vision. Instead, they came together, voted to form a district, and planted the seeds of what would become Southgate Recreation & Park District.
From those humble beginnings—two small parks and a simple clubhouse—something remarkable grew. Over the years, the District expanded into 47 parks, 10 community facilities, two aquatic facilities, WildHawk Golf Club, and hundreds of acres of trails and open spaces. Yet, the heart of this story isn’t measured in numbers or acres. It’s written in the laughter of children on our playgrounds, in the pride of a first-time swimmer at Christine Thompson Aquatic Center, in the friendships forged on fields under the lights, in families coming together at community events, and in the quiet companionship of seniors walking shaded trails.
Every laugh, every celebration, every memory created has been another chapter on the road we’ve traveled. This winter, as we look ahead to our 70th anniversary on August 27, 2026, we walk that same road the founders began, guided by the same spirit of connection and care.
Teens and young adults can take their first steps toward future careers at the Job Skills Workshop on February 7, learning how to succeed in recreation and beyond. Families will gather for music, dancing, and joy at Once Upon a Dance on February 21. And as spring approaches, our much-loved Eggs Galore & Bunny Breakfast returns March 28 at Jose P. Rizal Community Center, filling the day with pancakes, crafts, games, and our annual egg hunt.
Other community favorites like the Spring Community Yard Sale, the E-Waste Recycling Event, and Pictures in the Park remind us that our facilities are more than buildings. They are stages where everyday life unfolds. A yard sale becomes neighbors reconnecting. A recycling day turns into stewardship for future generations. A simple family photo becomes a keepsake that will be treasured for decades.
Looking back, it’s clear our story has always been about people. The visionaries who built it, Boards, staff, and volunteers who pour their hearts into serving, and the community members like you who show up, participate, and breathe life into every program.
As we travel the road to 70 years, we carry that legacy forward with gratitude, pride, and hope. Thank you for your presence in the parks, your energy at events, and your trust in the district. Together, we are not just celebrating the past, we are building the future. 🐊
Ward Winchell, General Manager
Southgate Recreation & Park District
