Community-led renovation begins this month with ways for residents to get involved
FOLSOM — Kids Play Park, best known as Castle Park, is getting a much-needed refresh, and the community’s support is essential to make it happen. The beloved wooden playground, built by the Folsom community 30 years ago, will close the first week of September for renovation. Folsom Parks & Recreation is leading the effort to update the park to meet modern safety and accessibility standards while preserving the castle’s one-of-a-kind charm.
First built by volunteers in 1996, the two-acre playground at 201 Prewett Drive in the Willow Creek Estates neighborhood was designed by Robert Leathers and constructed by more than 1,000 local volunteers. Its whimsical towers, slides, and bridges have long been a destination for families, recognized for imaginative design and the unique sense of place it brought to Folsom.
But after nearly three decades of use, the wooden play structures have reached the end of their useful life. Replacement parts are no longer available, and the equipment has aged well beyond its expected cycle. “This park is close to 30 years old, but that’s 15 years past its recommended life cycle,” former City Manager Elaine Andersen noted last year.
In May, the Folsom City Council approved an $81,000 design contract with Leathers & Associates—the original builder—as part of a $1.1 million replacement project. The city allocated $800,000 from its general fund, with the remaining $300,000 expected to come from community fundraising efforts.
Folsom Kids Play for Generations, a local nonprofit, is leading that campaign with a goal of raising $300,000. Residents can help build the new Castle Park by ordering a personalized brick or fence slat, or by making a tax-deductible donation. For fundraising questions, email rebuildthecastle@gmail.com. For general park project information, email parkplanning@folsom.ca.us.
Construction is set to begin in October, with a community build event planned after the first of the year. The new Castle Park is expected to open in April 2026. Officials say the updated playground will remain within the original 13,000-square-foot footprint, with composite “Trex” materials replacing the old wood to ensure durability while retaining the castle theme.
City leaders and park planners have emphasized that the rebuild is not only about replacing old equipment, but also about preserving the park’s legacy while enhancing features for a new generation. Just as the community came together in 1996 to build the original Castle Park, today’s residents are being asked to help construct a new version that blends nostalgia with the promise of the future.
The city’s hope is that, just as the community came together in 1996 to build the original Castle Park, today’s generation will help construct a new version that blends the nostalgia of the past with the promise of the future.
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