Students from The Hen House Preschool in West Sacramento joined city officials for the Westacre Park ribbon cutting on July 9. Photo courtesy of the City of West Sacramento

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – A project nearly 10 years in the making, West Sacramento’s Westacre Park celebrated its grand opening on Thursday, July 9. A large crowd of community members gathered under the park’s shade structure to hear from the mayor and parks department officials, while children climbed atop play structures and anticipated the turning on of the water at the new splash pad.  

“As mayor it has been one of my greatest joys seeing improvements that directly improve the lives of our residents,” said Mayor Martha Guerrero in her opening remarks.

The 12-acre park, which features a skate park and pump track, rock climbing wall, pickleball courts and a reflexology path, was a $7.8 million project funded by Prop 68, a statewide park development grant passed in 2018. The project broke ground in March of last year.

In addition to Prop 68 funding, the Rotary Club of West Sacramento secured additional funding for the park from Sutter Davis Hospital. The Sutter Health Tranquility Trail includes a wellness labyrinth and reflexology path; a walking trail made of smooth stones designed to relieve stress and improve overall wellbeing.

“At Sutter Health, we know that some of the biggest influences on community health happen long before somebody walks into any of our hospitals or clinics,” said Sutter Davis CEO Michael Cureton. “They’re found in our neighborhoods.”

District 2 Council Member Quirina Orozco noted in her remarks that prior to renovations, Westacre Park was outdated and rarely visited. It consisted of a crumbling, sunbaked basketball court and run-down fields that needed “an upgrade and a complexion change.” The skatepark was falling apart and received media attention from outlets including CBS News for its potentially dangerous conditions. Now, it is vibrant, safe, inclusive space for people of all ages to recreate.

Orozco also touched on the significance of Westacre Park being built in the heart of District 2, an area known for financial hardship.

“This is about a neighborhood that has waited a long time and is not to be forgotten,” said Orozco of the celebration.

The site is owned by Washington Unified School District but maintained by the City of West Sacramento. A school bus on the new play structure that appears to be mid-flight bears the district’s name.

The park features an updated play structure with inclusive equipment and a Washington Unified School District school bus at its forefront. Photo courtesy of the City of West Sacramento

During the ceremony, Mayor Martha Guerrero officially recognized July as Parks Make Life Better Month. The proclamation honors parks including Westacre Park which provide the community access to recreation, as well as the officials and partnerships that make maintaining parks possible.

The proclamation was also recognized by the offices of State Senator Cabaldon and Assembly Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry.

Parks such as Westacre should provide visitors with a space to relax, reflect, heal and recharge, Mayor Guerrero said.

The park, located at 1755 Evergreen Ave., West Sacramento, is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.