Folsom’s much talked about Castle Park is one step closer to its next chapter. On Tuesday night, the Folsom City Council approved an agreement with Leathers & Associates to provide design consulting and community-build construction assistance for the play structure replacement at the park, officially known as Kids Play Park.
The decision formalizes the council’s May 27 direction to shift the project from a traditional contractor build to a community build in order to control costs and accelerate delivery.
The action rescinds a previous council approval earlier this year for a smaller scope of work and replaces it with a broader, community-driven approach. Under the new agreement, valued at $111,569 and funded through the Parks & Recreation Equipment/Capital Fund (Fund 609), Leathers & Associates will prepare the organizational framework for a community-build and bring three construction superintendents to lead volunteers through a concentrated six-day construction period. The expanded scope and on-site leadership account for a $29,929 increase over the firm’s original $81,640 consulting proposal.
Castle Park, designed by Robert Leathers and built by local volunteers in 1996, has served generations of families with its distinctive castle-themed wooden structures. Nearly 30 years later, city staff report that the aging wooden elements have reached the end of their useful life. With replacement parts no longer available, the city opted to rebuild the playground while honoring its community-built heritage.
The city publicly advertised a request for proposals for playground design, with responses due April 20, 2025. Four firms submitted proposals, and after a comprehensive evaluation by the Parks and Recreation Department, staff recommended awarding the project to Leathers & Associates, a firm whose community-build model aligns with the council’s direction. The May 27 council discussion provided the pivot: move from a contractor-led build to an intensive volunteer effort guided by the designer’s on-site superintendents.
City staff noted that the new agreement adds an organizational phase to prepare for the volunteer effort, including scheduling, materials planning, site logistics, safety coordination, and daily task sequencing needed to deliver a six-day build. During construction week, three superintendents from Leathers & Associates will oversee and train volunteers, manage work crews, and ensure the installation matches the design and safety standards.
Funding for the play structure replacement, designated as Project PK2501, is already in place. The project is included in Folsom’s Fiscal Year 2025–26 Capital Improvement Plan with an $800,000 budget in Fund 609, and sufficient appropriations are available to cover the $111,569 agreement for design consulting and community-build assistance.
According to staff, the project qualifies for a California Environmental Quality Act exemption because it involves minor alterations to an existing public facility without expanding its use. That determination helps keep the schedule focused on design finalization, community-build preparation, and construction.
The community-build model is expected to do more than cut costs. It invites residents to once again take an active role in shaping a place where their children play—just as they did nearly three decades ago. With design and volunteer coordination now authorized, Parks and Recreation will work with Leathers & Associates to develop the construction plan, recruit and organize volunteers, and finalize the six-day build schedule. Additional details, including sign-ups and workday information, will be shared by the city as the project approaches the construction phase.
The approval affirms the city’s intention to preserve the park’s community spirit while delivering a modern, safe, and enduring play space for families across Folsom. From its origins in 1996 to its next iteration, Castle Park will remain what it has always been: a playground built by the community, for the community.
Castle Park design reveal set for October 29
Folsom Parks & Recreation invites the community to the unveiling of the final design for Castle Park. The design reflects a shared community vision shaped through two public outreach meetings and refined with input from the project’s design review committee.
This event celebrates the completion of the design process. All community feedback has been gathered and incorporated into the final plans. No additional feedback will be taken at this event. Instead, the celebration will highlight what the community has accomplished together.
The Castle Park Design Reveal takes place Tuesday, October 29, at 6 p.m., with the unveiling beginning at 6:15 p.m. The event will be held in the Multipurpose Room at Oak Chan Elementary School, located at 101 Prewett Drive in Folsom.
Community members are encouraged to attend to see the final design and celebrate the next exciting chapter for Castle Park.
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