After more than 11 years in the making, the Hanami Line construction project is nearing the finish line. 

Located at Robert T. Matsui Park, along I5 and the Sacramento River, the 1.5 acre Hanami Line is the beautiful intersection of culture, art, community, and TREES! As you may remember, the Sacramento Tree Foundation set out to design, build, and maintain an internationally recognized cherry blossom park along the Sacramento riverfront to celebrate civic pride and the rich cultural contributions of Japanese Americans.  And now that day is almost here. 

If your commute or outdoor activities take you near the construction site, you will see the new features being installed. Planned amenities include unique concrete and wood benches that incorporate reclaimed redwood direct from the Tree Foundation’s Urban Wood Rescue; terraced step seating and distinctive “twig” benches throughout the park; a one-of-a-kind kinetic art sculpture with 400 glass mobiles that will flutter in the wind; a striking blue promenade that begins at the art sculpture and leads visitors to the Sacramento River; and, most beautifully, over 100 cherry trees that will stun guests in the spring with their light pink blossoms and in the fall with their warm fall foliage (not to mention the much needed shade the green canopy will bring during the toasty summer months). 

There are many people to acknowledge for bringing this vision to life, and while the list is too long to name everyone, the Tree Foundation would like to thank all of the donors who gave generously, the volunteers who devoted hundreds of hours of their time; the many city, county, state, and federal departments and agencies who helped us integrate state-of-the-art lighting and technology, while navigating the complex process of working on a levee; the artists who have poured their hearts and souls into a signature art piece that will grace our skyline for years to come; and, most importantly, key members of the Japanese community, who have helped to inform the beautiful design of the park from concept to completion.

The planned opening of the park is this summer, but the precise timeline for the opening is dependent on weather and the remaining construction. 

Construction photos