Santa Barbara’s Eastside Neighborhood Park has reopened with several improvements, including two new playgrounds, adult fitness equipment, accessible paths to connect the park amenities, and more.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department boasts a new playground for children ages 5 to 12 as the city’s first obstacle course playground.
The playground includes vertical and lateral climbing activities, as well as other obstacles and features to improve balance, flexibility, strength, agility, and coordination.
The second new playground installed at the park is for children ages 2 to 5, and includes a “public nest that allows parents and children to swing together.”
“Community collaboration has played a critical role in this project,” Parks and Recreation Director Jill Zachary said in a recent press release. “This park is an important family gathering space for the neighborhood, and the public’s participation in workshops and meetings allowed us to reimagine and better serve Eastside residents.”
Another new feature is various fitness equipment spread throughout the park, such as parallel bars and other stations for a full-body workout.
Parts of the park remain temporarily closed as the turf is renovated, and improvements to the community garden within the park, known as Yanonali Garden, are being completed.
Some of the upgrades already made to the garden include new fencing, a new loading area with a ramp, and a new picnic area.
The Parks and Recreation Department said that more upcoming improvements include a communal herb garden, new citrus trees, and improved pathways throughout the garden.
“The multi-phase project aims to expand recreational opportunities while creating a safe, attractive gathering space for the neighborhood,” the Parks and Recreation Department said.
The project to improve the park is partially funded by a $350,000 community development block grant, with the remaining $450,000 funded by the city’s general fund.
The Parks and Recreation Department said it hopes to hold a ribbon-cutting event for the community once all the park improvements are completed in 2024.