Folsom Parks and Recreation suspends volunteer build amid hail, thunderstorms and
FOLSOM — Severe weather halted construction at Castle Park on Sunday, as Folsom Parks and Recreation canceled all remaining build activities for the day due to unsafe conditions, including hail, thunderstorms and lightning in the area.
The decision was announced late Sunday morning as conditions worsened, prompting officials to call off afternoon volunteer shifts to ensure safety on site.
“We are incredibly grateful for this amazing community,” Folsom Parks and Recreation stated in its update, noting that more than 1,000 volunteers had participated in the rebuild effort prior to Sunday’s cancellation.
Officials said the decision to suspend work was based on incoming weather conditions and the need to protect volunteers.
The department also advised the public to stay tuned for further updates regarding park activities and upcoming volunteer opportunities as conditions improve.
The pause follows several days of construction that began earlier in the week as part of the community build phase of the Castle Park project.
Originally constructed in 1996 through a volunteer-led effort, Castle Park was designed by playground architect Robert Leathers and built by more than 1,000 volunteers. The castle-themed playground served the community for nearly three decades.
After years of use, the original structure reached the end of its service life and no longer met current safety and accessibility standards. The City of Folsom removed the aging playground and initiated plans for a replacement that maintains the original theme while incorporating updated materials and accessibility features.
The current rebuild is funded through a combination of city capital funds, Measure A funding and community fundraising led by the nonprofit Folsom Kids Play for Generations.
Construction during the community build phase has relied on volunteer participation, with hundreds contributing throughout the week leading up to Sunday.
No updated timeline for completion was announced Sunday. Officials indicated that further information will be provided as weather conditions allow work to resume.
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