The Dry Creek Parkway is an enjoyable cycling and walking corridor through northern Sacramento County and southern Placer County that includes trails, parks and open space along Dry Creek. Currently, two segments are completed and future plans include linking the trail to the Ueda Parkway and
Sacramento Northern Bike Trail to provide a network of pathways that connect downtown Sacramento to Roseville and the northern suburbs.
The 2.9-mile Cherry Island Segment begins in the Rio Linda/Elverta community at the Dry Creek Ranch on Dry Creek Road. History buffs may wish to stop at the ranch's historical museum which educates visitors on the area's pioneers. As you continue north on the trail, you'll find the tree-lined creek on one side and scenic pastoral landscapes on the other. The trail ends at U Street, between the Cherry Island Golf Course and the Cherry Island Soccer Complex. In addition to several fields, the Soccer Complex features 12 acres of wetlands, picnic areas and a building where trail-goers can find restrooms and food. A 6-foot-wide equestrian dirt path also runs parallel to the paved trail.
The Roseville Segment is further north, beginning in a residential area off of Walerga Road, just south of Baseline Road. It travels nearly 5 miles east along the creek to Cook Riolo Road. Mid-trail, travelers will come to a golf course and trail spur that runs a short distance south.
Great care has been taken to protect and preserve the riparian habitat all along the creek. On their journey, trail-goers may see great blue herons, egrets, hawks, turtles, beavers and other wildlife.