Folsom saves familiar parts of old Castle Park for new playground

Folsom officials are working to save parts of the original Castle Park playground for donors and the new, improved playground going up. Folsom Kids Play Park, known as Castle Park, is just south of Oak Chan Elementary School in the Willow Creek Estates South neighborhood. Covering 2.1 acres, Oak Chan Park on Prewett Drive is home to the beloved castle-themed wooden playground built by the community in 1996. Along with the wooden play structures, the park features ceramic tile artworks, many of which were created during the original community project. The playground features a commemorative wall and pillar display of hand-painted ceramic tiles purchased as part of the park's first fundraising campaign. There are also free-form concrete seat walls decorated with nature-themed tiles donated by Oak Chan Elementary School students. There is also a sundial, set atop a concrete pedestal that showcases a "Folsom History" timeline in hand-painted ceramic tiles painted by local artists. Over time, some of the hand-painted tiles have faded or been damaged, and the wooden play structures have reached the end of their useful life. With repairs no longer practical and wood no longer considered ideal material for playgrounds, the city decided to completely rebuild the play structures. The new design will use modern, durable materials while staying within the original 13,000 square-foot footprint. The total estimated cost of the Kids Play Park Renovation Project is $1.1 million. The City Council approved $800,000 toward the project out of the General Fund. The council agreed the $300,000 shortfall would be provided by the nonprofit Folsom Kids Play – For Generations, Inc. As part of fundraising efforts, the nonprofit proposed the idea of turning specific parts of the original wooden play structure into yard totems to sell to donors. Orders would be collected in advance, and based on the number of sales, wood would be salvaged before dismantled in September. The effort would be a one-time opportunity exclusively for donors, with only the amount of wood needed to fulfill orders being reclaimed, staff said. In addition to raising funds, the Generations group also aims to refurbish select wooden pieces from the original structure with some ceramic tiles that have begun to fade or were damaged. The restored pieces will be potentially incorporated into the new playground design. Approximately 12 wood pieces are being removed from the structure, including "Tot Lot" sign, the dragon and the doll houses. All identified pieces, both wood and ceramic, would be removed before the playground's dismantling in September. The City Council officially accepted the items on Tuesday. "Staff feel that restoring and reusing these cherished elements is a meaningful way to honor the playground's history by breathing new life into pieces that might otherwise be discarded," said Folsom Parks Director Kelly Gonzalez in her report.