CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) – A decorative fence has replaced almost a mile of battered chain-link in Ancil Hoffman Park. An eyesore to many visitors, the old barrier separated the park golf course from Tarshes Drive for decades.

Susan Peters – who ends her 16 year tenure as County Supervisor next month – commissioned new construction as one of her final beautification projects for District 3.  Totaling nearly $146,000, the cost was funded partly by the Regional Parks Golf fund but mostly by a discretionary allowance that enables Supervisors to assist chosen projects.  “I’ve been wanting to get this done for 30 years,” Peters said. “To me, it’s a great enhancement. The fence style doesn’t stand out like it’s new; it looks like it belongs in this beautiful park.”

Already dubbed “The Great Wall of Susan” the barrier is six feet high for much of its 4000 foot length. Remaining portions are two feet lower, allowing comfortable leaps for deer migrating from the golf course to the Effie Yeaw Nature Preserve. “The movement of animals was an important design consideration,” explained Regional Parks Director Liz Bellas. “One of the best things about visiting Ancil Hoffman is seeing wildlife in its natural habitat.”

Indeed, the170-acre reserve (acquired for the American River Parkway in 1960) is famed for critter inhabitants. Barred only from the Main Event restaurant, wild animals enjoy right of way on park roads and throughout the 18-hole golf course. By night, raccoons and bunnies scurry over tees. Foxes and bobcats prowl the greens. A nonchalant coyote visits so regularly that golfers time their drives to avoid the canine they call “Wiley.” River otters come inland for autumn feasting on Carmichael Creek crawfish. Bucks lock antlers on the fairways and in spring, does birth their Bambis in bunkers.

The new fence was designed with a break at San Lorenzo Way.  The gap allows deer and turkey moms to shepherd babies across Tarshes Drive to the nature preserve.

Even in its 6 ft. segments, the barricade can be cleared by adult deer. To prevent in-flight injuries, upper bars are picket-free. “We’ve seen some horrific wounds caused by spear-topped fences some residents have built nearby,” reports a park hiker. “It’s a relief that the County thought about wildlife safety when designing the new barrier.”

Ancil Hoffman Park is located at 6700 Tarshes Drive, Carmichael.