The Sunrise Recreation and Park District will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a special public event from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 at Rusch Park. Courtesy photo of City of Citrus Heights

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The rear parking area of San Juan High School on Greenback Lane, adjacent to the swimming pool was turned into an informal ice cream parlor on Wednesday, June 4 as the city of Citrus Heights hosted its first of its three-summer family-friendly City Scoop ice cream socials.

The third annual City Scoop event attracted families and neighbors from 6:30 to 8 p.m. who enjoyed refreshing ice cream treats provided by Sam’s Club, a new sponsor this year. Leatherby’s Ice Cream had sponsored the event series in 2024.

Each month of the summer, June, July and August, the city hosts an ice cream social for neighbors to connect, learn about ways to chip in to their community and meet fellow neighborhood area members.

Marisa Brown, Citrus Heights city communications officer, helped distribute ice cream treats as Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa looks on. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

A late afternoon breeze helped reduce the day’s high heat as children busily played a super-sized version of the Connect Four tic-tac-toe game and soft lawn darts which were just their size.

Multiple booths were set up where the public could learn about city programs and services that include the rental of its community block party trailer and how to join and learn more about the specific neighborhood association in their area of the city.

Citrus Heights is divided into 11 neighborhoods with nine neighborhood organizations representing each area, with areas 7, 8 and 9 being combined.

Staff from the Sunrise Recreation and Parks District shared information about special events, pool passes and summer camps which are now enrolling and provided copies of the district’s summer recreation guide. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

Representatives of the Residents’ Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights (REACH), an umbrella organization made up of a board of directors and one member from each of the city’s 11 neighborhood associations/areas, described opportunities to meet neighbors, city leaders, first responders and organizations servicing their neighborhoods which meet monthly.

Staff from the Sunrise Recreation and Parks District also answered questions about sports programs, special events, pool passes and summer camps which are now enrolling and provided copies of the district’s summer recreation guide.

The Sunrise Recreation and Park District will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a special public event from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 at Rusch Park.

Many attendees topped by the Citrus Heights Police Athletic League (PAL) to talk with Citrus Heights Police Department officers about the department’s Police Explorer Program, now accepting applications, that gives teens and young adults ages 14 to 20 the opportunity to explore a career in law enforcement.

A late afternoon breeze helped reduce the day’s high heat as children busily played a super-sized version of the Connect Four tic-tac-toe game and soft lawn darts which were just their size. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

In 2023, the inaugural City Scoop summer series featured ice cream socials at various locations, including Greenback Greenspace, Sylvan Community Center and Westwood Park. When City Scoop returned to Sylvan Oaks Library in June 2024, the event drew roughly twice as many residents as in 2023, according to the city’s social media page. 

The City Scoop ice cream socials were moved to Wednesdays from Thursdays this year to better provide an opportunity for the public to meet their neighbors, city staff, local police and other community leaders.

Last month, residents voted to select San Juan High School, Van Maren Park and Mesa Verde High School as their top locations to host City Scoop this year.

The next City Scoop will be held at Van Maren Park at 6601 Thalia Way on July 16 and at Mesa Verde High School at 7501 Carriage Drive on Aug. 20.

For more information visit: citrusheights.net/1301/City-Scoop-Neighborhood-Event-Series.

Representatives of the Residents’ Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights (REACH) described opportunities to meet neighbors, city leaders, first responders and organizations servicing their neighborhoods. Courtesy photo of City of Citrus Heights