FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - The Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District (FORPD) celebrated the opening of the new Gum Ranch Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 13. The park (5600 Tuckeroo Way) is located in The Heritage at Gum Ranch by Elliott Homes, a new neighborhood near Kenneth Ave. and Madison Ave. FORPD Administrator Mike Aho said the park is the result of “such a team effort between the community, the developer, the staff, [and] the Board.”

The location is a well-loved area of the Fair Oaks community that was once the home of a local pumpkin patch owned by the Gum Family. The park is almost 10 acres, with a mix of active play areas and natural open spaces with drought-tolerant landscaping.  Aho said the creation of this park will “preserve and protect this area for generations to come.”

The unique playground equipment was made by Berliner, and Aho described it as “an adventure-based type of park. … It’s free climbing, just free fun, and something unique and something different.”

In addition to play areas and a covered picnic area, the park also features about a mile and half of walkways, with District plans to add more connecting walkways on the other side of the creek after obtaining the required permits.

Other unique features include two much-anticipated amenities that are new to the District. The park is home to the District’s first court for pickleball, which is a sport quickly gaining popularity that Aho described as “like tennis with a whiffle ball.” And the kids will be particularly excited about the District’s first splash pad, which will run when the weather warms up.

The park also offers another benefit: Kids in the surrounding areas always walked down Kenneth and along the busy Madison Ave to reach nearby Bella Vista High School. But now their walk will be safer and more enjoyable as they can travel through the park.  

District 3 Supervisor Rich Desmond spoke at the event, praising the FORPD for their commitment to improving the community with such beautiful parks. He said Fair Oaks is “such a great place to live with such great amenities like this.”

FORPD Director Ralph Carhart, who has a passion for Fair Oaks history, gave an overview of all the previous owners of the property, who all shared a deep love for the site.

FORPD Chair Raymond James Irwin said, “Parks make life better. … This is a guiding principle and value of who we are as a District and who we are as a governing board. We truly believe in enriching lives, through exceptional park and recreation opportunities that truly strengthen our community. … Positive healthy growth is always something that’s at the forefront of my mind while retaining our beautiful rural and natural charm, to which this park is a testament.”