Press release from the City of Eureka:

The City of Eureka is excited to announce its award by the CA State Parks Land and Water Conservation Fund Program in the amount of $619,989 for Grace Marton Memorial Park. CA State Parks received $154 million in requests with only $35.6 million available. Grace Marton Memorial Park was one of 16 park projects selected for funding.

The upcoming establishment of the new Grace Marton Memorial Park will be located on the grass lawn area in front of the Sacco Amphitheater and is made possible due to a generous donation by Lance Hardie and Grace Marton. The Grace Marton donation, city funds, and grant funds results in a $1,239,979 project budget.

A robust public input process took place in Spring of 2023 resulting in a park concept that reflects both Grace Marton’s vision and the community vision for a new and revitalized park space serving all ages. Next steps will include permitting and setting a project timeline. Construction could occur as soon as 2025 but is dependent on federal approval of the grant funding, permitting, and finalizing construction documents.

A park design concept is available to view online and intends to evoke the region’s maritime and logging history through a thoughtfully curated design featuring a playground centered around a replica timber schooner ship submerged in rubberized blue surfacing, accessible by ramps designed to look like waterfront docks surrounded by a timber log slide, log roll balance beams, octopus climber, and marine creature rockers. Designated picnic areas overlook the bay and playground, and a game area is provided featuring table top checkers, chess, and a cornhole court. Amenities provided will include interpretive signage, seating, water fountain, waste receptacles, and telescopes for wildlife viewing. Additional seating is provided by the incorporation of the existing Sacco Amphitheater. This project also includes the resurfacing of the waterfront trail between the Adorni Center to just past the Samoa Bridge. It will also realign the trail through the bayside of the park project replacing the current configuration that passes through the Sacco Amphitheater.

More information and park design is available at this link.

New park improvements often produce interest in other parks in need of upgrades. The table below provides the status of other parks.