Volunteers go hands-on with construction of Castle Park as decades of memories fuel a new generation of community building
In a scene that echoed the spirit of its original build nearly three decades ago, volunteers came together this week at Castle Park, turning a long-awaited vision into reality as construction officially began on the community-driven rebuild of one of the city’s most cherished landmarks.
From the early hours, the site was filled with energy as volunteers descended onto the grounds, beginning the physical transformation of a space that has been at the center of community conversation, planning efforts and fundraising initiatives for well over a year. What had long been discussed in council chambers, community meetings and neighborhood conversations is now taking shape in real time, as the sounds of construction once again return to a park that has meant so much to generations of local families.
“The Castle Park community rebuild project reflects the very best of Folsom—our commitment to community, our investment in quality of life, and what’s possible when people come together with heart and purpose,” said Kelly Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was on site Tuesday afternoon and shared with Folsom Times that even though the work had just begun, crews were already surpassing the 20 percent completion mark.
The build, taking place throughout the week, is more than just a construction effort. It is a deliberate return to the park’s origins — a playground first constructed by volunteers and now being rebuilt in much the same way, by the community itself.
Located in the Willow Creek Estates South neighborhood near Oak Chan Elementary School, Castle Park has been a defining part of childhood in Folsom since it was first built in 1996. Designed by nationally recognized playground architect Robert Leathers, the original park was constructed by more than 1,000 volunteers over a short, intense build period, creating a castle-themed wooden playground that quickly became one of the most recognizable and beloved play spaces in the region.
With its maze of wooden towers, rope bridges, slides and imaginative play areas, Castle Park became more than just a playground — it became a rite of passage for local children and a gathering place for families throughout the community. For nearly three decades, it served as a constant backdrop for birthday parties, after-school play and weekend outings, embedding itself deeply into the identity of Folsom.
But as the years passed, the reality of time and wear began to take hold. After decades of near-constant use, the wooden structure reached the end of its functional lifespan. Replacement parts became increasingly difficult to source, maintenance demands grew and evolving safety and accessibility standards made it clear that the structure could no longer be maintained in a way that met modern expectations. City officials ultimately determined that removal of the original playground was necessary — a decision that was widely understood but deeply emotional for many residents who had grown up with the park.
That moment marked the end of one chapter, but it also set the stage for the next. Rather than replacing Castle Park with a conventional playground, the City of Folsom committed early on to preserving the identity and spirit that made it special. That commitment became formal policy when the Folsom City Council voted to officially rename the 2.1-acre Kids Play Park as Castle Park, adopting the name long used by the community and recognizing its historical and emotional significance.
At the same time, city leaders approved the funding framework and design direction for a full rebuild, including working once again with Leathers & Associates — the original design firm — to ensure the new playground would reflect the same imaginative castle theme while incorporating modern engineering and safety standards.
The new design stays true to the original footprint while introducing a range of upgrades designed to extend the park’s lifespan and accessibility. These include durable composite materials to replace aging wood, improved drainage systems, expanded ADA-compliant access points and inclusive play features that allow children of all abilities to fully experience the park.
Funding for the project reflects a broad-based community investment. The total project budget, which exceeds $1,001,229, is supported through a combination of city capital funds, Measure A funding and a significant fundraising effort led by the nonprofit Folsom Kids Play for Generations, along with additional community contributions and partnerships.
That fundraising effort has been central to the project’s identity, giving residents the opportunity to directly invest in the park’s future through donations, including personalized fence slats that will become a permanent part of the finished playground — ensuring that the community’s connection to the space is physically built into its future.
Throughout the planning process, the emotional connection to Castle Park remained a consistent theme.
Community members shared stories of childhood memories, family traditions and the park’s role in shaping their connection to Folsom. For some, the park was even a deciding factor in choosing to live in the area, underscoring its impact far beyond its physical footprint and reinforcing why preserving its identity became such a priority for city leaders and residents alike.
That emotional investment is now being matched by physical effort.
The community build currently underway was intentionally scheduled during spring break for the Folsom Cordova Unified School District, allowing for greater volunteer participation while also utilizing nearby Oak Chan Elementary School for staging, parking and logistical support.
“We actually did,” Parks Planner II and project manager Hannah Perez said during a recent City Council meeting. “That is due to the fact of its proximity to Oak Chan Elementary School and being able to utilize the parking lot for our volunteers.”
Initial volunteer response showed strong early momentum, with more than 200 individuals signing up quickly and accounting for nearly 150 filled shifts. Still, the scale of the effort remains significant, with more than 2,300 volunteer shifts required to complete the full six-day build.
Organizers have emphasized that the project is designed to be inclusive not just in its final form, but in its construction as well, welcoming participants of all backgrounds and experience levels to contribute to the effort.
Volunteers were required to be at least 10 years old, with younger participants accompanied by a parent or guardian. No prior construction experience was needed, as teams were guided throughout the process.
While volunteers are responsible for assembling the playground structures, a significant amount of technical and infrastructure work has already taken place behind the scenes to ensure the site is prepared for long-term success.
The Folsom City Council approved contracts with KYA and Granite Construction Inc., totaling more than $380,000, to complete critical site work. That work includes grading and preparing play areas, removing and replacing deteriorating sidewalk sections along Prewett Drive that did not meet ADA standards, and installing foundational elements for new concrete surfaces and utility systems.
Utility extensions for electrical service, potable water and a future restroom facility have also been installed, allowing flexibility for future enhancements to the park and addressing one of the most common requests expressed by residents during the planning process.
Granite Construction further contributed to the project by agreeing to perform its portion of the work at cost and donate half of its estimated scope, helping the city manage overall expenses while maintaining the quality and integrity of the project.
Vice Mayor Anna Rohrbough highlighted the importance of those forward-thinking elements, particularly the preparation for future amenities that will benefit both park visitors and the broader trail system nearby.
“Thank you for including the stub-out or the prep work for a future restroom,” Rohrbough said. “That was one of the big things people care about.”
Following the completion of the community build, additional work will continue, including installation of poured-in-place safety surfacing, engineered wood fiber and final landscaping adjustments to restore and enhance the surrounding park environment.
“There’ll still be some work after the twelfth,” Perez said. “After the play structure build, the work that needs to be done is the pour-in-place safety surfacing and the engineered wood fiber.”
City officials continue to target an April opening, signaling a rapid progression from demolition to rebuild and a strong push to return the park to public use as quickly as possible.
By the time the final phase is complete, the new Castle Park will stand as both a tribute to its past and a foundation for future generations.
“Nearly 30 years ago, residents built a legacy here, and today we are proud to carry that forward,” Gonzalez said. “This project is more than a park rebuild—it’s an investment in the health and well-being of our children and families. By partnering with residents, community organizations, and volunteers, we are not only honoring the past but creating a park that will inspire connections and bring generations together for years to come.”
As construction continues throughout the week, the atmosphere at Castle Park reflects something deeper than a construction project.
It reflects a shared investment in the future of the community.
Nearly 30 years after volunteers first came together to build the original playground, a new generation is once again stepping forward — not just to rebuild a structure, but to carry forward a tradition of community involvement, creativity and pride.
And now, with the rebuild officially underway and the structure beginning to rise once again, Castle Park is no longer just a memory of the past. It is becoming a centerpiece of the future.
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