Soledad has grand opening for city’s first inclusive park
SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON AUGUST 19, 2023 AT 3:49 PM: A long-awaited project for the City of Soledad finally opened to all Saturday. The project cost the City around $7 million to build.
The park is the city's first inclusive park which will allow children with disabilities to play without any restrictions. This park has been in the works since 2019 and it became inclusive after a group of parents with disabled kids advocated for them to have an inclusive area.
The park also has an area for dogs, artwork, a sprinkler area, a BBQ area and a skate park. A ribbon cutting was held and dozens of people arrived to usher in this new era for Soledad.
"For our special needs kids this is special this is wonderful to have this park as a reality we are happy about it," said parent Josefina Munoz.
The park is located on Orchard Lane across from Hartnell College's Soledad location.
Orchard Lane Park will stay as name for new inclusive park
UPDATE NOVEMBER 9, 2022 AT 12:50 PM: After a March Madness-style bracket was created to decide the new name of the inclusive park, the community of Soledad has decided not to change the name of the park.
Soledad City Manager Brent Slama told KION that the community decided Orchard Lane Park will stay as the name for the new inclusive park.
64 different names were thrown in the bracket to decide the name of the park. In the end, Orchard Lane Park defeated Orchard Meadow Park.
Slama said that over 3,000 people voted to keep Orchard Lane Park as the name. Slama shared that the city staff was excited to see the community members be engaged in the competition.
UPDATE July 13, 2022, at 5:57 p.m.- The City of Soledad needs your help deciding the name for its first inclusive park.
The park located on Orchard Lane will be decided by a tournament-style voting system. People submitted names, and the best ones will move into the tournament until one is left.
You can vote for your favorite names here.
ORIGINAL STORY
The $7.7 million project to build an inclusive playground for universal access broke ground over the weekend.
The City of Soledad is also giving folks the opportunity to name this park. To submit a name go on their Facebook and message them.
This park was planned with disabled children in mind. To help provide them with a safe place to play.
The park will be located at 300 Orchard Lane. It will include a park consisting of a parking lot, skate park, dog park, inclusive playground, playground, restroom facility, multiple picnic areas, and ample central grass space for gatherings and events.
The skatepark will be replacing the old one in need of modern repairs. The playground will open seasonally and will run through multiple filters to assure safe water quality.
The park is planned to open in the Spring of 2023, and construction will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday.
