William Land Park

To say that William Land Park's 160 acres enjoys a rich history is an understatement. John Sutter wanted to ensure a city that would be above a consistently challenging flood plain. He located Sutterville at the southwest corner of what is now known as William Land Park. Spreading out from this establishment of a ships carpenter, doctor, brewery owner and brick layer the citizens made their homes. William Land made his fortune primarily as a hotelier, establishing the Western Hotel on 2nd and K and then erecting the Land Hotel in downtown Sacramento. He died in 1911, leaving a legacy of $250,000 to "to purchase a public park within a suitable distance of Sacramento to be used as a recreation spot for the children and a pleasure ground for the poor." William Land Park was established on its present site in the 1920's and the golf course was built in 1924. Currently William Land Park features multitudes of entertainment possibilities. It has 1 class 1 and 22 class 2 updated picnic areas with tables and barbecues for which some can be reserved for that family reunion or birthday party. The park has 3 ponds stocked with fish for those who enjoy the rod and reel... just be sure the geese and ducks don't beat you to it!  For baseball lovers, it has 2 softball fields and 3 baseball fields, one of which is lit. Soccer lovers enjoy its 2 bantam and 1 full size soccer fields.  Very close to Tiny Tots Preschool you can find basketball players challenging each other on the basketball court. Joggers can get in their daily run on the 3.4 mile jogging course. To this day, the 9-hole Land Park Golf Course is constantly being enjoyed by local golfers. The accredited Sacramento Zoo was established in 1927 and features over 140 native, exotic and endangered species.