Major Projects Map

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Etenesh Zeleke Public Dock

Now Open to the Public!

Located behind the Ziggurat building, the City's new Etenesh Zeleke Public Dock is situated along the Sacramento River next to River Walk Park. The new dock is a short walk to:

• Sutter Health Park, home of the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants
• Drake's: The Barn
• Old Sacramento
• Golden 1 Center
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Bike/scooter/car share services

As part of the cities of West Sacramento and Sacramento's vision to develop the waterfront into a locals and tourist destination, public art was incorporated into the dock under project "River Crossing: I want to communicate with you." Residents were asked to nominate people they would like to have commemorated. Over 650 nominations were received, and a panel of judges selected two names: Etenesh Zeleke for the new West Sacramento Dock and Isabel S. Naranjo for the new name of the existing dock in Old Sacramento.

Etenesh Zeleke, whose first name translates to “you are my sister,” was an immigrant from Ethiopia. She was nominated by her granddaughter who described her as being a “stream of hope” with many references to creating a community in West Sacramento near the river. Judges were inspired by her unique story of modern immigration, her love for her family and her connection to the river.

Isabel S. Naranjo was nominated by her granddaughter and was driven to deliver supplies, food and clothing to migrant farmworkers and their families. A farmworker herself, she helped establish childcare centers and secure funding for meals, recreation, and education. Judges selected Naranjo due to her strong commitment to her family and her community.

As a final part of the art project, glowing lightboxes have been installed spelling the names of Naranjo and Zeleke in colorful maritime signals

The Dock 

The Etenesh Zeleke Public Dock will provide the Sacramento River boating community with access to recreation, sports, cultural and entertainment amenities in the urban core of the region generating regional tourism, activating the riverfront, and stimulating the local economy. The new dock will also support recreational and excursion boating activities for trips from the San Francisco and Delta communities. The City is also exploring potential opportunities with operators who can provide amenities and services at the dock. 

The public boat dock will be limited to recreational vessels at least 26 feet in length as required by the Department of Boating and Waterways’ grant that partially funded construction of the new dock. However, up to four of the 25 tie-up cleats on the dock can be occupied by vessels under 26 feet in length.

The dock is open to vessels for free 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM and use is on a first come, first serve basis including on holiday weekends. No payment is required. There are no reservations or a lottery. Overnight docking is not allowed from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM. All vessels must vacate the dock by 9:00 PM daily.  

Background

In 1981, a personal operator installed steel pilings, a floating wood dock, gangway, and timber walkway from the top of the levee to the Sacramento River under a lease from the State Lands Commission (SLC). Originally serving as a personal dock, it went on to serve other uses, such as a mooring and boarding area for the tour boat Elizabeth Louise and stop for the River Otter Water Taxi Service. By 2000, the dock was in disrepair and in 2008 was deemed hazardous and all uses were discontinued.

Since 2011, City staff took a series of extensive actions with federal, state and local partners to construct the new dock that would be open to the public. These actions, among others, included securing a new lease, funding, permitting, construction and art for the new public dock. 

Washington District Development Opportunities