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CARD Unveils Spectacular Upgrade at Chapman Park

December 21, 2023

A park with a unique wooden curved structure, trees, benches, trash bins on a sunny day.
Chapman Park Pavilion
A playground with water features and a bear statue.
Chapman Park Splash Pad
A colorful children's playground with slides and climbing structures on a sunny day.
New Playground
A paved pathway through a park with trees, grass, and landscaped areas.
Walking Path
A park with a modern canopy structure, playground, trees, and green grass.
Chapman Park Picnic Area
A fenced outdoor basketball court with a blue-green surface and adjacent parking, surrounded by trees under a clear sky.
New Multi-Purpose Courts
A colorful outdoor basketball court, a building with murals, trees, and a clear sky.
New Courts by the Dorothy F. Johnson Center
A park with a unique wooden curved structure, trees, benches, trash bins on a sunny day.
A playground with water features and a bear statue.
A colorful children's playground with slides and climbing structures on a sunny day.
A paved pathway through a park with trees, grass, and landscaped areas.
A park with a modern canopy structure, playground, trees, and green grass.
A fenced outdoor basketball court with a blue-green surface and adjacent parking, surrounded by trees under a clear sky.
A colorful outdoor basketball court, a building with murals, trees, and a clear sky.

 

The Chico Area Recreation & Park District (CARD) is delighted to announce the much-anticipated opening of the enhanced Chapman Neighborhood Park on December 21st, just in time to bring joy to the holiday season. Thanks to a $2.9 million grant awarded through the State Parks Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program, the Chapman Neighborhood Park has undergone a transformative makeover, establishing it as a premier recreational destination in the heart of Chico.

The revitalized Chapman Park boasts an array of exciting features, including a state-of-the-art splash park water feature, a revamped gardening and teaching area, a resurfaced multi-sport court, a covered picnic structure, a new walking path, exercise stations, and upgraded restroom facilities. This comprehensive renovation is a testament to CARD's commitment to creating vibrant and inclusive spaces for the community to enjoy.

The $2.9 million grant, part of the competitive State Parks program, selected Chapman Park as one of 62 projects across California for the renovation and expansion of existing park spaces. This initiative aims to foster new parks and recreational opportunities, particularly in underserved communities.

Erin Gonzales, the dedicated Recreation Supervisor at the adjacent Dorothy F. Johnson Community Center, shared her enthusiasm for the positive impact on the local community, stating, "The new features of the park bring so many great things to our neighbors. Chapman Park is well-utilized, and with the new lighting, new courts, and even the new splash pad, the Chapman neighborhood is going to benefit spectacularly from it."

Anjie Goulding, Recreation Director at CARD, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the expanded possibilities for CARD programming. "This growth brings so much opportunity to the neighborhood, as well as all of Chico. Many of the park’s new features will allow us to offer new programming such as outdoor basketball, futsal, and look at bringing full-day kids camps back to the area."

The upgraded Chapman Park opens the door to a myriad of recreational opportunities, including community gardening classes in collaboration with UC Master Gardeners, performances in the amphitheater, full-day summer camps, a new playground, and more.

The new splashpad feature will be open annually from May through October and courts will be open year-round during park hours.  

Residents and visitors alike are invited to visit Chapman Park, located at 775 E 16th Street in Chico, California starting December 20th. Save the date–CARD will host a Grand Opening Celebration for Chapman Park on Friday, January 12th at 2:00 PM. For more CARD updates, visit ChicoRec.gov and follow CARD on Facebook and @ChicoRec on Instagram.

 

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About Chico Area Recreation & Park District

Founded in 1948, the Chico Area Recreation & Park District (CARD) is a California Special District focused on creating recreational opportunities that bring friends and families together to have fun and build lasting memories. CARD manages and cares for more than 12 community and neighborhood parks, four community centers, one swimming pool, the Chico Creek Nature Center, and other facilities. The PLAY Activity Guide highlights the numerous sports, classes, camps, special events, and more CARD offers. Learn more about CARD at http://www.chicorec.gov/.