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Why new trail connecting South Sacramento to Downtown doesn't make everyone happy

The Sacramento City Council officially gave the green light to the Del Rio Trail, which will connect South Sacramento to the Downtown area. But some feel the project could lower property values and remove the possibility of a future excursion train.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento City Council officially gave the green light to the Del Rio Trail. It will be a pedestrian trail that connects South Sacramento to the Downtown area. But not everyone is happy about the plan in its current form.

Dorit Hertz loves to bring her dog Sadie to the current trail in Land Park. It's fenced off at both ends so dogs are able to roam free.

"She gets to run and chase squirrels and other dogs. She couldn't be happier," explained Hertz.

Hertz is also excited that the trail will be coming in the next couple years.

"I think it's great," said Hertz. "I've worked in public health for many years. And I believe in active transportation. I think this is, it will be a wonderful community amenity."

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The project was championed by Sacramento City Councilmember Jay Schenirer. He believes the city will benefit from everything it has to offer.

"We obviously want to be a very bike-friendly city, but this is about active transportation," explained Schenirer. "It's about people from the south area being able to ride all the way downtown and not have to ride on city streets.

However, some have expressed concern about what it could do to property values. 

"It's hard to know," said Hertz. "I think there are pros and cons on both sides. Some people whose property may back up to it may be a little more reticent about it. But other people might feel 'what a wonderful community amenity.'"

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Brian Ebbert is the president of South Land Park Neighborhood Association. He believes the trail will benefit the community in many ways.

"I think this trail provides an opportunity to clean up five miles of abandoned rail corridor, activate that space and promote the neighborhood livability and connectivity of the Sacramento region," Ebbert said.

The new plan will preserve 98 percent of the old track. Yet, sections of the track that intersect with roads will be removed. The City Council explained this is necessary for safety. This upsets train and preservation advocates who wanted to keep the rail lines intact in hopes of a possible future excursion train.

Ebbert said he understands their concerns and said, while he's against activating trains in the corridor, he does hope to work with such groups to preserve the rail history of the trail and the city.

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