A Guadalupe park has a new look and new attractions in addition to its new name as residents waiting for the chance to shred, swing or shoot baskets now have a site for their outdoor recreation.
Officials gathered Friday afternoon at Las Mujeres Park, 4550 10th St., to celebrate the completion of a major makeover for the 1.5 acres sitting between the city’s water tower and a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks.
“After many years of planning, Las Mujeres Park is finally becoming a reality, and that is something we can all celebrate,” said Joe Harris, chairman of Guadalupe’s Recreation and Parks Commission.
A $4.9 million California State Parks grant funded the project for what long had been called Central Park. The park was renamed to mark its makeover.
“The name Las Mujeres honors the generations of women who have chosen Guadalupe as their home and played an essential role in shaping our community,” Harris said.
The commission plans to honor a woman each year with a plaque.
“Our goal is to create a lasting legacy that inspires future generations to see what is possible and to keep working toward an even more vibrant city,” Harris added.
Las Mujeres now boasts a 5,700-square-foot skateboard park, which features terrain for riders of all experience levels.
The skateboard park saw use immediately on Friday — and earlier after some took to the ramps prematurely a couple of weeks ago.
“You’re not going to stop skateboarders or surfers from going where they want to go,” Mayor Ariston Julian said. “Once it opened up, it’s going to be a godsend for our community.”
The ceremony included Rick Fisher from Central Coast Processing, one of two cannabis firms in Guadalupe, presenting two skateboards to children in the audience.
“Anytime you’re getting community together, you’re doing it outside, getting active — those are all positives,” Fisher said.
Other amenities include new playground structures, a half basketball court, a bocce ball court, a dog park, picnic tables, fitness equipment, small barbecues, gameboard tables, a reconstructed parking lot, a pre-manufactured restroom, landscaping and more.
While the ribbon-cutting ceremony occurred Friday, visitors shouldn’t be surprised to see temporary fencing in some areas to help foster the growth of the grass.
City Manager David Trujillo noted the various firms involved in the project, including Pacific Coast Land Designs, Eikhof Design Group, SW Construction Inc. and more.
“Most important, we want to thank the residents of Guadalupe. This project is for you,” Trujillo said. “There’s a little bit of something for everybody here.”
Friday’s celebration came weeks after Guadalupe’s leaders reluctantly had to halt the Royal Theater renovation project over financial woes.
Las Mujeres was the second of Guadalupe’s three parks to get a makeover in recent years. The first was LeRoy Park.