Community Enjoys Opening of Innovative Park

Rancho Cordova, CA (MPG) - Cordova Recreation and Park District (CRPD) held a grand opening ceremony on a windy and brisk Saturday, December 16, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to celebrate the opening of CRPD’s 38^th park, Heron Landing Community Park.

Heron Landing Community Park, located in Anatolia at Sunrise Boulevard and Justinian Way, is the 8th community park in the district. The 20-plus acre park has 20 picnic areas, 2 miles of walking trails, a spray pad area, 2 playground areas, 2 ballfields, a soccer field, 2 bocce ball courts, 2 tennis courts and 2 half courts for basketball. Despite excessive rain in 2016, which hampered construction, the park was finished 300 days after the ground-breaking ceremony held April 2016. The grand opening marked the completion of Phase 1 of construction with a community center planned for Phase 2 of construction.

During his grand opening speech District Administrator, Patrick Larkin, said “This park represents the next generation of parks. Heron Landing Community Park is the type of facility we will strive to bring to the community in the 21st century. This is a  place to share with your neighbors, friends and children; a place to celebrate the proud community that is Cordova Recreation and Park District.”

The grand opening ceremony was attended by over 300 community members, project partners CRPD Board members, and local dignitaries who spoke at the event including Rancho Cordova City Mayor Donald Terry, Sacramento County Board Supervisor Don Nottoli, and Congressman Ami Bera. Also in attendance were senior staff and council members from the City of Rancho Cordova, SMUD Board Director, Nancy Bui-Thompson, and Jonathan Glatz of the Office of Assemblyman Ken Cooley.

Attendees participated in a park tour with CRPD staff as well as basketball, kickball and Bocce Ball as they got to know their new park. Despite the gusty winds and cool temperatures, residents got a demonstration of the spray park and a few brave children ran through the water.

Long after the end of the event, residents were seen taking walks along the trail, practicing Lacrosse on soccer fields, climbing on playground equipment, working on their backhand on the tennis courts and one even brought out a kite to take advantage of the wind. The community’s excitement for this park is only matched by CRPD itself.