P24AP02251

The City of Redding, located in far northern California, is reimagining South City Park.

The city is requesting $3.5 million to build community-selected amenities that reinvigorate a once thriving communal gathering place with activity every day, every week, all year.

Established in 1918, South City Park is the oldest in the city’s inventory and the only urban park in the heart of Redding.

Unfortunately, crime, vandalism, unsafe conditions, and aging infrastructure caused families and residents to disengage with the park, necessitating its closure in 2018.

When closed, the city promised to reopen the park when a suitable reactivation plan could be created and implemented.

Though planned to be temporary, the surrounding neighborhoods losing their park delivered a blow that cannot be understated.

To develop the plan for the 8.5-acre park, the city partnered with Project for Public Spaces, a firm specializing in assisting communities in reactivating underperforming spaces through placemaking and community engagement.

The extensive planning and public outreach process produced the following recipe for successful reactivation:

Promote intergenerational and healthy activity by layering a variety of active and passive uses, programs, events and these community-selected features:

- Destination playground and spray fountain
- Entry and activities plaza
- Flex greenspace
- Pickleball courts
- Youth area, including a skate plaza, basketball court, lounge areas, and climbing features
- Walking jogging loop with wayfinding and distance markers
- Lighting and landscaping throughout
- Dog area
- Improvements and renovations to existing restrooms, baseball field, and bocce ball courts
- Demolition of existing tennis and basketball courts.

California Department Of Parks And Recreation

THE NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY IS INTENDED TO ENGAGE PARTNERS IN PROJECTS TO ADVANCE THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE SUBJECT PROGRAM. THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) IS SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR THIS NOFO THAT MEET THE PURPOSE AND FOCUS OF THE SUBJECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS WILL INCLUDE ACTIVITIES THAT DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM.

15.916 - Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning

NPS National Office [DOI - NPS]

Redding, California United States

City-Wide

Land and Water Conservation Fund Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (P22AS00645)