The Sacramento Parks Foundation is spearheading an effort to build a Universal Playground in Arden Arcade. This is a park designed for people with and without disabilities, as we first mentioned back in 2017. After public meetings then, SMUD eventually offered to lease a parcel of land for this purpose on Bell Street between Hurley and Northrup. Because now there are some grant opportunities for the project, there is another series of public meetings about the project. The Fulton-El Camino Recreation and Park District is one of the Foundation’s participants. Today, Mike Grace, the District’s General Manager, emailed members of the community about the project and the meetings:

Dear Inclusive Play Park Supporter, It has been over a year since we last communicated. During this time we have secured the insurance coverage needed to proceed with a lease agreement with the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District and signed agreement. We also issued a Request for Proposal to play equipment manufacturers and Landscape Architects to work on plans and a grant application for the development of the park. We had seven companies and landscape architects as well as two company/landscape architect team submit proposals to prepare plans and the grant application to be submitted to the State of California. These companies were all willing to delay payment for services until we secure funding for the park. We are pleased to announce that we selected O’Dell Engineering to work with us. O’Dell is a leader in this field and has great experience with inclusive play parks. They also have the capacity to do 98% of the design work needed to develop the construction plans for the entire site. We are applying for the projected full amount of the cost for the development of the park. Early indications are that we have a very good shot at being successful with this grant proposal. We will be conducting a series of five public meetings as required by the State to score the total available points for the grant. These meetings are going to be held as follows:

Data Gathering

• June 17, Easter Seals, 3205 Hurley Way, 6 to 7 PM
• June 18, Howe Park Conzelmann Community Center, 2201 Cottage Way, 6 to 8 PM
• June 20, Community Center, Swanston Park, 2350 Northrop Ave, 6 to 8 PM

Conceptual Design Review

• July 10, Howe Park Conzelmann Community Center, 2201 Cottage Way, 6 to 7:30 PM
• July 13, Inclusive Play Park Site, 940 Bell Street @ Irma Dr., 10 AM to 12 PM

We need your support at these meetings. Please tell your friends and neighbors about the progress made and that, with the help and support of the community, we will be able to make this park a reality. We are looking for volunteers to help get the word out to the community and organizations. Please send me names of potential supporters so we can invite them to these meetings. With your help and support we will bring this important park to the Arden Arcade Community. More information to follow in the coming weeks.