STOCKTON, Calif. — A new playground is coming to a north Stockton park and community members hope it will bring change to the at-times violent neighborhood.
A plot of land filled with bark and surrounded by concrete greets visitors at Sandman Park. Just beyond the footprint of what once was a playground, landscapers make laps under the trees.
It’s a familiar sight for people who live in the neighborhood near Waudman and Don Avenues after the city removed the park’s playground in 2020.
“There was an assessment done and the playground equipment that was here at the time was deemed to be unsafe," said Michael Blower, who represents the area on Stockton's City Council. "It was removed so there's been no equipment for the children here for a couple of years."
The park and its neighborhood have been the site of violence since the playground was removed, including a December 2020 shooting that left a teenager dead and two other people injured. Data from the Stockton Police Department shows that there have been at least seven assaults, two robberies, four cases of theft and one sex offense at or near the park since the deadly shooting.
It’s an image that Councilmember Blower hopes to change.
“Sandman Park has had some issues; there have been some things that have happened here that aren't great," said Blower. "The neighborhood has got to be thrilled with what's going on and what's going to go in here... It'll be a great thing for this area."
As of January, the playground at South Stockton's Van Buskirk Park is the only one designed for kids of all abilities, but that will also soon be changing.
“There'll be wheelchair ramps, there'll be sensory rails," said Blower of some of the features included in the new playground. "That other park, which is great that it's there, is on the other side of the town, so it'll help people in this area that have children that have those needs."
Sandman Park is the fourth and last Stockton park up for a new playground. The city said it is due for another assessment of priorities at all city parks soon.
After being unanimously approved by Stockton’s city council Tuesday night, construction on the nearly $395,400 playground is scheduled to start in May, with the hope of having kids on slides and catching wind on swings by June.
“I think it's really important that the kid has something to do. A lot of people talk about 'Oh the kids don't have anything to do.' This will give them something to do," said Blower. "I can't wait for that ribbon cutting. It'll be exciting to see this come to the community."
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