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SITE NAVIGATION

Street Landscape Maintenance

21st Avenue Buffalo Grass Pilot Project

Street Landscape Maintenance

21st Avenue Buffalo Grass Pilot Project

Welcome to the 21st Avenue Buffalo Grass Pilot Project

Our Heritage and Vision

Once the lifeline of community connectivity, the median along 21st Avenue from Stockton Boulevard to 79th Street holds a storied history within the heart of Sacramento. Originally laid down as a streetcar line by the Central California Traction Company over 110 years ago, this strip connected the bustling downtown to burgeoning neighborhoods like Colonial Heights and others for mere nickels a ride. With the cessation of streetcar operations in 1968 and subsequent urban developments, this historic pathway transformed into a green median, now woven into the fabric of daily community life.

Despite its transformation, the median has been embraced by the community. Lush with grass and lined with trees, the median serves as an unofficial space for walking, jogging, and community gatherings. Over the decades, local beautification efforts have fostered not only growth in greenery but also in community spirit.

Grand opening of Colonial Heights historical flyer

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Responding to Today’s Needs

Amidst California’s growing water conservation needs driven by prolonged droughts and climate change, our state has enacted regulations requiring the cessation of potable water usage in medians across commercial, industrial, and institutional landscapes. As of 2024, new laws mandate significant reductions in water use, prioritizing sustainability and resource efficiency.

Here in Sacramento, we align our community values with these environmental necessities. Recognizing both the ecological and communal importance of the 21st Avenue median, the City of Sacramento is pioneering an innovative approach to conserve water while maintaining the green spaces our residents cherish.

Introducing the Buffalo Grass Pilot Project

This initiative introduces “buffalo grass”, a drought-resistant turf developed at UC Davis, renowned for its low water and maintenance requirements. This pilot project, stretching from Bradford Drive to 79th Street, will replace the existing grass with buffalo grass to evaluate its adaptability to Sacramento’s seasons and its functionality as a community space.

No healthy trees will be removed during this transformation; their preservation is paramount, echoing our commitment to the environment and community well-being. This one-year pilot aims to demonstrate buffalo grass's potential to meet regulatory demands and community needs without compromising our shared spaces' aesthetic and functional value.

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Be Part of the Envisioning

We invite all residents to engage actively in this project. Your feedback is invaluable. As we progress, our project microsite will serve as your go-to resource for updates, photographs, event notifications, and more. Here, you can also share your experiences and views on the buffalo grass’s performance and impact on community activities.

Join us in envisioning a sustainable future for the 21st Avenue median, where history and modernity blend seamlessly, fostering a water-wise, resilient, and thriving community.

Update on the 21st Avenue Median Pilot Project

The City of Sacramento is committed to delivering the 21st Avenue Median Pilot Project in a way that ensures its long-term success and benefits for the community. While our original schedule targeted construction this year, we will now begin planting buffalo grass in spring 2026. This adjustment reflects our focus on doing the job right, not just quickly.

Two key factors are driving this updated timeline:

Mild temperatures this summer have shortened the forecasted optimal growing season. Once planted, buffalo grass needs between eight and fourteen weeks of hot and dry weather to properly establish itself – the hotter the better. Establishing buffalo grass outside of its optimal planting conditions reduces its chances of long-term success, which is why we are realigning the schedule to spring.
Persistent Bermuda grass in the pilot area requires an intensive eradication effort to prevent it from overtaking the new buffalo grass. By beginning this work now—fencing off the medians and removing the existing turf—we can eliminate the invasive species and give the new grass the best chance to thrive.

Spring planting aligns with the optimal growing season for buffalo grass, maximizing its establishment and resilience while reducing long-term maintenance and water use. This approach will help us meet California’s water conservation goals while preserving the medians as valued green space.

Through the project construction period, the median will be fenced and signage installed to provide information on the project and the reasons for the updated schedule. The City will continue to keep the community informed through our website, email updates, and direct outreach to the Councilmember’s office.

This project remains a forward-looking investment in sustainable landscaping, community aesthetics, and responsible stewardship of public resources. Taking the time to prepare the site properly ensures that, when planted, the buffalo grass will flourish and serve our community for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

To review a collection of the most commonly asked questions regarding this project, please visit this page.

Leave Feedback

We value your input and feedback! You can share your thoughts by clicking on this link and completing this simple Google Form.

Contact the Project Manager

William Shunk, P.E., Senior Civil Engineer

wshunk@cityofsacramento.org

(916) 808-2986

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