Dwight Murphy Park in Santa Barbara was once home to soccer and other sports, but now it's a canyon of dirt. Construction crews are building a new park and a new all-accessible playground.
Dwight Murphy Park in Santa Barbara was once home to soccer and other sports, but now it's a canyon of dirt. Construction crews are building a new park and a new all-accessible playground. Credit: Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo

Right now, it’s a cluttered, congested, messy pile of concrete blocks, dirt and metal.

Someday, it will be one of Santa Barbara’s premier parks and playgrounds.

Crews are working to rebuild Dwight Murphy Park in Santa Barbara, but visitors will have to patient. It’s not expected to reopen until the spring of 2027.

The project began with a phased soil remediation process, according to a news release, and took additional soil stabilization measures after encountering higher-than-anticipated groundwater levels.

The project will cost $32 million and will include a multi-sport field for youth baseball, adult soccer, rugby and lacrosse, an outdoor fitness area, new sidewalks around the park, restrooms and new lighting.

“This is a project that will provide much-needed upgrades to a heavily used facility,” Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse said. “Its cost was partially funded by the same bond used to fund the new Police Department. In addition, the Gwendolyn Strong Playground will be an amazing asset for children of all abilities to play safely with access provided to all.”

It also will include a large lawn for drop-in activities and picnics, a shaded group picnic area, new walking paths and additional parking.

A major highlight of the park is Santa Barbara’s first all-abilities playground, created in partnership with the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation. Gwendolyn’s Playground will include a multi-story treehouse, hill slides, inclusive swings, musical play elements and a calming pod.

Billionaire Ty Warner has donated $5 million to complete funding for the massive renovation of Dwight Murphy Park. Community members also donated millions of dollars to help fund the project.

A new all-accessible playground will rise up from the west end of Santa Barbara's Dwight Murphy Park, along with new fields and restrooms.
A new all-accessible playground will rise up from the west end of Santa Barbara’s Dwight Murphy Park, along with new fields and restrooms. Credit: Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo

The project is about 25% complete, according to the city.

Work completed includes:

  • Demolition of all existing park structures
  • Completion of rough grading throughout the site
  • Beginning installation of the new field drainpipe and underground water retention system, which will help manage stormwater
  • Partial installation of the foundation for the new Magical Treehouse in Gwendolyn’s Playground
  • Partial installation of the perimeter retaining wall

The construction has caused congestion and parking issues near the park. On Tuesday, every parking spot was taken around the park and into the neighborhoods. The city has closed off part of Los Patos Way near the Santa Barbara Zoo.

The city plans to convert the previous two-way traffic into one-way traffic around the park.

“The layout will be a colorful wonderland nicely located next to our zoo, which adds to the family theme for that area,” Rowse said. “The project is well underway, and the entire neighborhood is in for a fabulous upgrade. The project is a collaboration of private philanthropy and public funds.”

— Noozhawk South County editor Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.