OUR HISTORY

The North Laguna Creek Valley Hi Community Association (NLCVHCA) is honored to have received the 2024 State of District 8 Award from Councilwoman Mai Vang for Neighborhood Association of the Year. This award acknowledges our ongoing commitment to enhancing our community as a place to live, work, and play.

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Our journey began in September 2017, when Rhonda Henderson, recognizing the need to restore the original community vision of the 1970s Sacramento County planners, united four neighbors to form the inaugural five-member Board of Directors for  North Laguna Creek Community Association (NLCCA). In 2018, under the mentorship of Councilmember Rick Jennings, we broadened our scope to include the Valley Hi community, an area with significant needs. This expansion led to the addition of 'Valley Hi' to our original name and the addition of a sixth board member.

 

Achieving 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2018, empowered NLCVHCA to serve the diverse residents and businesses within our designated South Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Sacramento County boundaries, fostering collaborative solutions for community challenges and improvements."

 

OUR MOTTO

​Enhancing Lives, Enriching Community: A Desirable Place to Call Home.

 

BACKGROUND OF NORTH LAGUNA AREA

In the 1970s, Sacramento County officials conceptualized North Laguna as a community designed for recreation and controlled growth in South Sacramento. Their vision was to create a desirable residential area with protected property values.

 

By 1988, the City of Sacramento had realized the first phase of this plan, constructing the Laguna Creek Parkway. This included trails, a connecting pedestrian bridge, and the creek's flow enhancements. Native vegetation was added, and regulations ensured the preservation of riparian buffers.

 

The city still maintains this wildlife area, which is funded by a long-standing resident assessment. This model of integrating recreation with natural preservation was later replicated along Laguna Creek, including the development of the Laguna Bypass Channel in the late 1990s.

 

The NLCVHCA area is further enhanced by amenities like Cosumnes River College, which offers accessible education, the unique Barbara Morse Wackford Aquatic Complex, and numerous shopping centers.

 

Historical Context of Redlining in Sacramento and Valley Hi:

• Sacramento, like many U.S. cities, has a history of redlining, where areas with significant minority populations were targeted for discriminatory housing practices. Historical maps and studies confirm this.

• The report "RACE & PLACE IN SACRAMENTO" provides detailed information on the effects of redlining and other discriminatory practices within the city.

• Redlining involved lenders and government agencies labeling neighborhoods with predominantly minority residents as "high-risk," leading to the denial of mortgages, loans, and other financial services, which hindered development.

• These practices have had long-lasting effects on the affected communities' economic and social fabric.

 

Environmental Studies:

Studies linking historical redlining to present-day environmental inequalities show that historically redlined areas also suffer from higher pollution rates and less access to green spaces. This is also applicable to areas within Sacramento.

 

• Assembly Bill 617 and the Community Air Protection Program (CAPP):

  • Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 617 in 2017 to address these environmental injustices.

  • This led to the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) CAPP, aimed at improving air quality in historically burdened communities.

  • South Sacramento was selected as one of the first ten participating communities.

 

Community Involvement and Air Monitoring:

• Rhonda Henderson, Founder and President of NLCVHCA, served on the AB 617 South-Sacramento-Florin Air Quality Steering Committee (2017-2025), representing residents and the Association.

• Community leaders in South Sacramento collaborated with the local air district to implement a community-scale air monitoring program.

• The program successfully identified pollution hotspots and established methods to share air quality information with residents.

 

Valley Hi's Specific Experience:

• While pinpointing the exact historical redlining boundaries for every neighborhood can be complex, it's clear that areas in South Sacramento, where Valley Hi is located, experienced the effects of discriminatory housing policies.

 

• Studies and reports, including those from the Black Child Legacy Campaign, show that Valley Hi is one of the neighborhoods affected by systemic racism and historical redlining.

 

• The Black Child Legacy Campaign reports include statistical data concerning the effects of systemic racism on the children and families within the Valley Hi area.

• These reports show that Valley Hi is one of the neighborhoods that has been historically subjected to redlining and other forms of systemic racism.

• A UC Davis study, "Study Focused on Black Children in 7 Sacramento Neighborhoods Shows Health Improvements," also identifies Valley Hi as one of the neighborhoods historically subjected to redlining and systemic racism.

 

• Therefore, it's accurate to say that Valley Hi and the surrounding South Sacramento area were impacted by the broader patterns of redlining and discriminatory housing practices that shaped Sacramento's development.

 

Factors Contributing to Valley Hi's Underserved Status:

• Valley Hi's history, particularly its characterization as "underserved," is deeply intertwined with broader patterns of urban development, racial segregation, and economic disparity in Sacramento.

 

     These factors include:

• Historical Segregation and Redlining: These practices led to long-lasting economic and social consequences.

• Economic Disparities: Valley Hi faces challenges related to economic disparities, including higher poverty and unemployment rates, leading to limited access to quality education, healthcare, and other essential services.

• Infrastructure and Resource Allocation: Concerns exist about the equitable distribution of public resources and infrastructure, including access to public transportation, parks, and community facilities.

 

Current Context and Further Research:

• Despite these challenges, Valley Hi is a diverse and resilient community.

• Organizations like the Black Child Legacy Campaign are working to address disparities and improve resident outcomes.

• Community-based initiatives and advocacy efforts drive positive changes and promote equitable development.

 

It is important to review reports on environmental justice from the "Black Child Legacy Campaign" and the city of Sacramento to gain a complete understanding. These reports give valuable information concerning the area's history and the current state of the community. Information concerning the black child legacy campaign can be found at blackchildlegacy.org. Reports such as the "Sacramento Valley Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice" and environmental studies also provide valuable information.

 

OUR BOUNDARIES 

The North Laguna Creek Valley Hi Community Association boundaries span from:

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Florin Road (North)

Laguna Blvd. (South)

I -5 (West)

Hwy 99 (East) 

 

As such, our boundaries include an area of Elk Grove, CA, stretching from I-5 to Highway 99 and bordered by Big Horn and Laguna Blvd. Elk Grove, a Sacramento County city known for its lively community and blend of historical and modern aspects, is described below covering its history, economy, and culture.

 

HISTORY OF ELK GROVE

 

Character of the City

Elk Grove began in the mid-19th century as a small farming community. Initially known for its agricultural roots, the city has transformed into a thriving suburban area while preserving its historical charm. Its character is defined by a strong sense of community, growth, and a commitment to maintaining its rural heritage amidst urban development.

 

Landscape

Elk Grove features a mix of suburban and rural landscapes. The city is surrounded by lush greenery, open spaces, and agricultural lands, contributing to its picturesque environment. This blend of urban and natural landscapes makes Elk Grove desirable for residents who appreciate city amenities and access to nature.

 

Planning and Housing

Urban planning in Elk Grove focuses on sustainable growth and community development. The city has implemented various initiatives to manage housing development, enhance infrastructure, and improve the quality of life for its residents.

 

Education

The Elk Grove Unified School District serves Elk Grove and offers quality education from elementary through high school. 

 

Sports and Recreation

The city offers a range of sports and recreational activities, including parks, sports leagues, community centers, and Sky River Casino. Elk Grove’s recreational facilities support an active lifestyle and foster community engagement.

 

Sky River Casino - Gaming Changer

According to the casino, Sky River will “easily contribute” $125 million to the local economy over the next few years. “This is a game changer, an entertainment complex like no other,” Sky River Casino President Chris Jibase told KCRA. The Sky River Casino is Sacramento County’s first tribal gaming casino. Sky River holds a special significance to local residents, not just because 2,000 have been hired as employees. It was built over a formerly abandoned mall complex seen as a blight on the landscape for years.

 

In an earlier press release, Mary Tarango, who is Miwok and Nisenan and led a 22-year effort to win back federal recognition for Wilton Rancheria in Sacramento County, described the casino as “a transformative project that will provide resources to invest in housing, education, and health care for our more than 800 members, preserve our language and culture, and give back to the community for decades to come.” Plans are to add a spa and a hotel in the future.