Sacramento's Southside Park

Sacramento�s Southside Park neighborhood sits south of California�s state capitol and north of the Old City Cemetery. Built on a former slough, it was inhabited by generations of immigrants and working-class families. The neighborhood�s many ethnic communities, including Portuguese, Italian, Mexican, and Japanese, came together in Southside Park, the neighborhood�s namesake. Whether for fireworks displays on the Fourth of July, for a trip back to Gold Rush days at Roaring Camp, or simply to paddle the lake in a rented boat, Southside Park provided a place of respite and recreation in this bustling city. The neighborhood surrounding the park faced many challenges as Sacramento grew�including freewayconstruction, urban renewal and redevelopment, and problems with crime�but its residents faced these challenges with a tradition of political activism, community participation, and a strong sense of civic pride that is still evident today.