Folsom gets grant for giant guitar picks on Johnny Cash Trail

District 7 State Assemblyman Josh Hoover presented a $425,000 state grant to Folsom last week for the Johnny Cash Trail "Art Experience." A native of Folsom, the Republican Assemblyman visited the city council to formally deliver an oversized state check at the regular meeting Aug. 22. Specifically, the money will go toward one of two seven-foot-tall guitar pick sculptures at each end of the trail. The state funding will be used for the design and fabrication of "Cash's Pick #2," while the first giant guitar pick is slated to be installed by early 2024, Hoover said. "I'm excited to be here presenting good news. Sacramento (state government) is not always good news. We're usually telling you guys what to do," quipped Hoover. The 2.5-mile Johnny Cash Trail was completed in 2017, featuring a Class 1 bike trail and pedestrian trail winding from the Historic District east past the prison to the Folsom Lake Crossing Trail. The city is fundraising to install a world-class public art experience along the trail to celebrate Cash, his music and his Folsom connection. "I was really thankful to work with our parks and recreation department here in Folsom, on putting a request in to ask for some state funding for our Johnny Cash Trail art experience," Hoover said. "The city of Folsom extends its heartfelt gratitude to Assemblyman Josh Hoover for securing substantial state funding to bolster the Johnny Cash Trail Experience," Folsom Mayor Rosario Rodriguez said. Assembly District 7 includes the cities of Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights and unincorporated Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Foothill Farms, Gold River, Mather, McClellan Park, North Highlands, Rosemont and Orangevale.