Eureka’s Community Services Department release: 

Parks are undeniably the fabric of our community, providing a community meeting space to forge connections, access the benefits of health & wellness, and connect with the beauty of our natural world. Sequoia Park has provided this to our community since 1894, and we are very excited to unveil the details for the Sequoia Park Improvement Project to ensure it continues to provide these benefits for generations to come.

As you may have noticed, there is construction activity currently underway at Sequoia Park. This is Phase 1 in the works (the green section on the map), made possible due to a competitive grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for the Redwood Sky Walk and park improvement funds. The northeast corner is receiving improvements first due to the close proximity to the Redwood Sky Walk and meeting grant requirements including ADA access, roadway improvements, and diverse play elements.

In Phase 1, currently in process, the northeast corner of Sequoia Park is being enhanced with a collection of natural-looking playground equipment, as well as landscaping to allow children a place to explore and engage in a safe and stimulating environment. (Equipment shown below are some examples of what this might look like, and are subject to change as plans are finalized.

In Phase 2, the Treehouse Adventure Playground, which was inspired by the Redwood Skywalk at the Sequoia Park Zoo, will be located in the existing redwood grove in the upper meadow and will provide an extensive, immersive, customized play experience in the trees, which will be suitable for everyone. Current plans include ramps and suspended bridges, allowing for fun exploration. There will also be an assortment of slides, ladders, nets, and other unique play equipment which will allow a multitude of different methods by which to enter and exit the Treehouse Adventure Playground. (The images and renderings below provide examples of what the Treehouse Adventure Playground might look like. They are subject to change as plans finalize.)

How did this come to fruition?

In 2017-2018, an extensive community input process was conducted with an outpouring of community support and feedback, made possible by Redwood Capital Bank who provided the funds for Greenway Partners to create preliminary designs. A community fundraising campaign will be launching soon to carry the remaining phases to the finish line.

Why is this project so important?

Community feedback has indicated that outdated and broken amenities such as old restrooms and playground equipment are in dire need of replacement. Furthermore, there is limited ADA access in and around the park which limits the ability for all to enjoy this special space. The beloved open green space will be improved with new grass and irrigation for lounging in the sun and playing games as our community has enjoyed for over a century. The swings will be updated with more seating options including the addition of inclusive seats and a seat where you can sit across from your child! All improvements were carefully vetted to ensure this project enhances what is loved, restores what is broken, and provides what is missing.

Park use during construction:

Construction will be active over the next few months. Please respect safety fencing and the construction crew as they are hard at work. If you have any concerns or questions, they are best directed to the Eureka Community Services Department rather than on-site contractors. You can reach us at 707-441-4241.