Background

Cisco Grove was once a thriving commercial and residential center with a rich and vibrant history.  Situated on the South Fork of the Yuba River, its story includes migrations of Native Americans, Emigrants, and gold miners.  From the 1850s, it was served by the Dutch Flat/Donner Lake Toll Road, the transcontinental railroad, and the well-traveled Highway 40.  However, the story took a sudden detour when opening of I-80 made Cisco Grove an afterthought.  There is no signage along the freeway inviting travelers to stop; and there’s not much reason to do so.  The remaining “town” has a few year-round and second homes; but much of the former commercial area along Old Highway 40 is in ruins. The current attractions are two striking stone buildings that were once souvenir stores, and there is Gould Park.

Acquisition Story

Working with Placer Legacy, the Emigrant Trails Greenway Trust, and the Gould family, Placer Land Trust acquired 15.7 acres along both sides of the river and then transferred the land to Placer County in December 2004 as permanently protected open space.  The property is montane riparian habitat — a mixed forest of pines, firs, a few cedars, and cottonwoods plus a small area of freshwater emergent wetlands near the River (https://placerlandtrust.org/cisco-grove-gould-park/).

Funding for the acquisition came from Placer County, the Emigrant Trails Greenway Trust, and the State of California Resources Agency.  The State also pledged grant funding to assist in the creation of park facilities.  Construction of these facilities began in the summer of 2005, and the park opened in 2006. 

The name — Gould Park — comes from the Gould family who owned the property for several generations.  In the 1860s, the property was purchased by pioneer James Gould from the “Big Four”, the funders of the Central Pacific Railroad (C.P.R.R.) and the western portion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Gould Park Today

The park lies just north of I-80 at the Cisco Grove exit.  Straddling the South Yuba River, it is a beautiful place to stop for a picnic or a wade in the River.  Facilities on the south side of the Yuba include paved parking, picnic tables, and a vault toilet.  

On the north side there are the two historic stone cabins and ruins of many other structures that have been overgrown with brush and small trees.  Recently, Placer County reduced the fuel load by removing trees and brush, opening up abandoned pathways which meander among the foundations of a hotel and rental cottages and provide access to the River.

A Vision for Gould Park 

The Gould family’s sale of the property was intended to conserve a portion of the South Yuba River, the Cisco Grove of cottonwood trees, and the two small, historical stone gift shop structures.  Placer County, as the current owner, remains committed to protecting the biological resources of the River, the historical resources on the property, and the original grove of cottonwoods from which the name Cisco Grove was derived.  The site contributes to the County’s standard of providing 5 acres of passive park land for every 1000 residents; the next nearest County recreational area is in Dutch Flat, approximately 20 miles to the southwest.

Since its founding in 2017, the Donner Summit Association (DSA) has been interested in increasing visitor awareness of the historic and recreational value of the extended Donner Summit corridor.  Cisco Grove is the western gateway to this corridor, and Gould Park is the perfect portal.

The “west portal” concept for Gould Park complements the Lamson-Cashion portal on the east end of the corridor.  The east portal — just off Donner Pass Road and officially called the Lamson-Cashion Trail and History Hub — has been a great success in improving visitor access to and understanding of Donner Summit.  On the other hand (and despite its perfect location), Gould Park today has few visitors because there are almost no amenities.  However, it has great potential — convenient to the freeway and with immediate access to the river and its riparian beauty.

DSA intends to work with Placer County to create needed improvements.  Most important will be installation of information kiosks with maps and exhibits about the history of the area and its importance as a gateway to the historic Donner Summit corridor.  Those interested in hiking will be guided to places like Red Mountain (with its lookout ruins and spectacular views) and to Loch Leven Lakes.  Other information will encourage visitors to explore the on-site ruins, follow recovered pathways to the River, and travel further along Old 40 to the east portal where there are rust marks left on the granite slabs by the wagon trains of the 1840s and ‘50’s.  Along the way they can enjoy the plaques of the 20 Mile Museum.

Other amenities planned for Gould Park include a bike rack and repair station near the vault toilets, since this is a favorite turn-around for cyclists traveling Old 40 from Truckee.  Or, it’s the perfect place to start a ride heading east for visitors who have just arrived from the Central Valley or Bay Area. At the corner of Cisco and Hampshire Rocks Roads there is a commemorative plaque to the late Susan Gilliom who loved to create water color paintings of the River and cottonwoods.  The vision for a future Gould Park includes construction of a platform and bench for artists and others to admire the natural, stunning beauty of the site.  

More people are visiting Donner Summit each year, and there is a need to spread that attention over more of the Summit.  Today, activity is concentrated near the top, with the Lamson-Cashion Hub being one focus.  With a portal at Cisco Grove Gould Park, some of that attention can be moved westward, providing visitors with more exciting (and presently little-known) adventures.  If there is enough new attention, future investment may follow.

Current Upgrade Proposal

For the current (draft) upgrade proposal, click on the DOWNLOAD button under the image below: