District: District 3 - Marysville
Contact: Kevin Murphy
Phone:(530) 812-7282
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sacramento – Construction began today on the Hanami Line, a space for visitors to gather, relax and play while celebrating the cultural contributions Japanese Americans have made to the Sacramento region, at the Robert T. Matsui Park along the Sacramento River. The project was made possible through a $3.2 million grant from Governor Gavin Newsom’s Clean California initiative, a sweeping $1.2 billion, multiyear clean-up effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs, and engage communities to transform public spaces.
The $4.3 million project is a collaboration among Caltrans, the city of Sacramento, and the Sacramento Tree Foundation, and will serve as a connection between the new railyards development, the Old Sacramento Waterfront and the I Street Bridge over the Sacramento River.
“Governor Newsom has made Clean California a priority, aiming to transform public spaces throughout our state into places that all Californians deserve,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “The Hanimi Line will celebrate the cultural contributions Japanese Americans have made to the Sacramento area while providing an amazing community space for visitors.”
The Hanami Line is based on a tradition where people gather each spring under blossoming cherry trees to celebrate the beautiful transience of nature and life. In Japan, this activity is called “hanami” and draws thousands of families to picnic, play and relax in parks. Sacramento's Hanami Line is designed to emulate this tradition and will include more than 100 cherry trees, public art, native and drought-tolerant landscaping, efficient irrigation and lighting, and an area to host community events and festivals with sweeping views of the Sacramento River and the city’s skyline. The park is named after former Sacramento-area Congressman Robert T. Matsui, a third-generation Japanese American.
"I want to thank Governor Gavin Newsom for these Clean California investments that will beautify Sacramento and help us uplift our vibrant communities,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “The Hanami Line is just the beginning, and I am proud of our City staff for putting together a list that will deliver tangible benefits for Sacramento residents.”
“The City of Sacramento’s commitment to honoring its Japanese American heritage will enrich the community,” said Caltrans District 3 Director Amarjeet S. Benipal. “The Clean California Local Grants are evidence that Caltrans is listening to the public, and I am excited to see the ideas and concepts our local partners have proposed come to fruition.”
Since launching Clean California in July 2021, Caltrans and local partners have removed 1.66 million cubic yards of litter from state highways – the equivalent of more than 24,400 tons or enough trash to fill the Rose Bowl over 3½ times. Caltrans has hired more than 850 team members as part of Clean California, and grants have funded 231 projects to revitalize and beautify underserved communities, some of which are already complete and now sources of community pride. In February, Governor Newsom announced a new round of $100 million in grants for local beautification projects. For more information about the Clean California initiative, visit CleanCA.com.
Congresswoman Doris Matsui stands next to an artist rendering of the Hanami Line project to be completed at the park named for her late husband, Congressman Robert T. Matsui.
Breaking ground for the Hanami Line Project at Robert T. Matsui Waterfront Park are (from L to R) NOGUCHI Yasushi, Consul General of Japan in San Francisco, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, Sacramento City Councilmember Katie Valenzuela, Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, former city councilmember and executive director of the Sacramento Tree Foundation Ray Tretheway, current Sacramento Tree Foundation executive director Dr. Jessica Sanders, and Caltrans District 3 Director Amarjeet S. Benipal.
Project Design Renderings
The design rendering of the Hanami Line shows people gathering under blossoming cherry trees, and families picnicking, playing, and relaxing in the Robert T. Matsui Park as part of a wonderful tradition called “hanami.”
The design rendering gives an overhead view of where the Hanami Line will be at the Robert T. Matsui Park, with a display of more than 100 'Pink Flair' ornamental cherry trees.
The Hanami Line design rendering shows the Matsuyama Dori, or walkway, which will begin at the sculpture and continue northwest through Robert T. Matsui Park. A wave pattern will adorn the walkway. This signifies the friendship between Sacramento and Matsuyama, Japan.
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