Sacramento considers McClatchy Park makeover

Visitors to the renovated McClatchy Park later this year could see hints of a roller coaster, carousel and zoo in new playground structures all reminiscent of the sites past as an amusement park.

It will attract parents to bring kids from all over the city, said Dennis Day, associate landscape architect with the Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation. There is so much history in this park.

Sacramento City Council members tonight will consider granting a $2.4 million contract to Goodland Landscape Construction of Tracy to renovate a portion of the 15.2-acre site in Oak Park. If approved this month, work can start as early as April and finish in the fall.

This is the largest investment in McClatchy Parks history, said Day, adding that the park will be 125 years old this year.

The city plans to spend just under $3 million on the park makeover. The proposal calls for a new, greatly expanded playground with a water spray area for hot summer days, a butterfly garden and a picnic pavilion. A new adventure area will have play structures that will resemble a roller coaster, trolley cars and concession stand items, while a new tot area will have concrete animals, a mini train and fun house elements.

A skate park and jogging trail also will be built in response to resident demand. A basketball court will be replaced by a half-size court and a drop shot game court for younger children.

Funding for the project will come mainly from a Proposition 84 state grant and developer fees. Proposition 84, which voters approved in 2006, funds projects related to water quality, natural resource protection and state and local park improvements.

More than a century ago, the site at 3500 Fifth Avenue was an 8-acre amusement park known as Oak Park. In 1913, it was renamed Joyland, which had a three-story wooden roller coaster, a small zoo and a carousel, among other attractions. Fire destroyed most of the rides in 1920, but the park was partially reconstructed.

When Joyland closed in 1927, Valentine McClatchy bought the site. He donated the property to the city for a park on the condition that it be named after his father, James McClatchy, a founding editor of The Sacramento Bee.

The renovation will require that the playground, tennis and basketball courts be relocated, but the other existing facilities the amphitheater, swimming pool and softball field, as well as the farmers market will stay where they are and remain open during the park makeover.

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Sacramento considers McClatchy Park makeover