Residents invited to weigh in as Parks & Recreation Commission considers recommendation to City Council
A key step in shaping one of Folsom’s future neighborhood parks is set for next week, as the city’s Parks & Recreation Commission convenes a special meeting focused on the proposed Benevento Family Park master plan.
The commission will meet Tuesday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m. inside the City Council Chambers at Folsom City Hall, 50 Natoma Street, where members will consider whether to recommend approval of the park’s master plan to the City Council. The meeting represents a pivotal moment in the project’s timeline, offering residents a final opportunity to provide input before the plan advances.
Community members are encouraged to attend the meeting in person to learn more about the proposed design and share feedback directly with commissioners. Those unable to attend can watch the meeting live via the city’s webcast by visitingwww.folsom.ca.us/ParksCommissionand selecting the “Webcasts” tab at the scheduled start time.
The park project, now formally known as Benevento Family Park, has been in development for several years and reflects ongoing community input and planning efforts. City officials emphasize that public participation remains an important part of the process as the plan nears a recommendation stage.
Located at the intersection of Broadstone Parkway and Carpenter Hill Road, adjacent to Vista del Lago High School, the future park will span approximately 19 acres, with nine acres planned for initial development. The site, formerly identified as Empire Ranch Park Site No. 51, is envisioned as a multi-use community space designed to serve residents of all ages.
Plans for the park include a wide range of amenities intended to support both active recreation and passive use. The current proposal features a parking lot accessible from Broadstone Parkway, a two-stall all-gender restroom building, and a group picnic area designed for gatherings and community use. Recreational elements include basketball courts, two sand volleyball courts, and dedicated spaces for bocce ball and cornhole.
In addition to structured activities, the design places emphasis on open space and flexibility. A multi-use grass area and additional non-programmed open grass spaces are planned to accommodate everything from informal sports to community events. Walking paths will loop throughout the park, providing connectivity and opportunities for exercise and leisure.
For younger visitors, the plan includes separated play areas tailored to different age groups, specifically for children ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, along with a designated quiet play area intended for more relaxed or sensory-friendly experiences.
The project has progressed through several phases over the past few years. Initial planning took place between February and August 2020, followed by a community engagement phase in mid-2022 that helped shape early concepts. Since then, city staff have continued refining the design based on additional input and commission feedback.
Earlier this year, the Parks & Recreation Commission reviewed an updated master plan on Jan. 6 but opted to defer a recommendation, requesting further discussion by the Planning, Development, and Renovation Subcommittee. That subcommittee met on Jan. 16 to review details and provide additional guidance.
At the commission’s March 3 meeting, staff presented two potential master plan concepts, prompting further public engagement through an online survey. More than 500 participants submitted feedback, offering insight into community preferences for park features and layout.
That feedback is now being incorporated into a refined master plan, which will be presented at the March 31 special meeting for consideration. If recommended by the commission, the plan will move forward to the City Council for final review and approval.
Construction and design timelines have not yet been finalized, and no official opening date has been set. However, the upcoming meeting marks a significant milestone in advancing the project from concept to implementation.
Residents seeking more information about the Benevento Family Park project can visitwww.folsom.ca.us/ParksAndRecProjects, review detailed planning materials in the city’s published documents, or contactparkplanning@folsom.ca.us.
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