Remembering William B. Pond: Architect of County Regional Parks

William B. Pond

William B. Pond, the first Director of the Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks, passed away on September 20 at the age of 91. Often called the “Father of the Parkway”, Pond was responsible for the establishment of the American River Parkway. He will be remembered for his kindness and his ability to connect with and work well with others.

“He was a collaborator,” said Ron Suter, retired Regional Parks Director. “He worked with people in the community before that was something that governments did. With Bill’s smile and willingness to listen, he set the future standards for collaboration in government. Bill was truly a man with a vision and was ahead of his time. His mission was to make things better for generations to come and he made things happen.”

A native of Minot, N.D., Pond held a variety of jobs in Washington and Oregon, including as a schoolteacher, coach, recreation leader and park manager, before he was appointed as the Sacramento County Regional Parks Director in 1959.

With a budget of about $18,000, Pond successfully worked with local advocate groups, County leaders and private land owners to negotiate the purchases of acres of what would become Discovery, Ancil Hoffman and River Bend Parks within his first two years at the department.

By taking advantage of federal and state grants and bond funds, and demonstrating a willingness to be flexible, Pond’s initial acquisitions set into motion the creation of the 32-mile American River Parkway. During his tenure as director, Pond also oversaw the adoption of the American River Parkway Plan, the initial purchase of what would become Gibson Ranch, and the designation of the Dry Creek Parkway as a reserve area. Pond is credited with the expansion of the land holdings and the establishment of the department as the steward of parks and open space in Sacramento. Since its humble beginnings, the Regional Parks Department has grown to oversee more than 15,000 acres of open space in the County that includes nature preserves, low-cost public golf courses, and the award winning Effie Yeaw Nature Center and Therapeutic Recreation Services.