Renovations underway at Redwood Park in Arcata

The loved Redwood Park has been under renovation since May 2023. Phase one of the Redwood Park Playground Improvement Project includes new inclusive play equipment, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) parking improvements, and a bicycle pump track.

“Redwood Park, which is really a community entrance to the Arcata Community Forest, really serves as a key regional recreational resource for Arcata residents,” said Emily Sinkhorn, the Environmental Services Director. “We have rental spaces there. We have a picnic area, open play,  meadow, and then a park that has been well loved but really reached its age and time for a replacements.”

The playground being one of the upgrades, the city received over one thousand responses from the community about what kind of theme the playground should have. They collectively decided on a forest castle theme.

As the park continues its renovations, the newest addition is the bicycle pump track and it is ready to be used.

“This was a collaboration with the Redwood Coast Mountain Bike Association,” Sinkhorn said. “And they helped the city design a pump track that is paved and has rolling features that enable young kids to learn to do more on their bikes and have a safe place to ride bikes.”

The upgrades to the park are expected to be done by Spring 2024. The park remains open during the construction of phase one. Phase two includes improving the basketball court and the parking lots for cars and bicycles. 

The Redwood Park isn’t the only park in Arcata going through renovations. Next time you visit Larson Park, Valley West, Carlson Park, or Bloomfield Park you may see some new equipment and art.

The city of Arcata plans to announce a community event to highlight the upgrades to Redwood Park when construction is finally completed.