Playground Fantástico Update
After 16 years of phenomenal (that is, “fantastic”) service to the
Napa community, the playground equipment at Playground
Fantástico has reached the end of its useful life. Now more fun
begins! The City of Napa led a diverse community engagement
process to develop the new playground design for the park in honor
of its history.
Playground Fantástico was originally built in 2002 as a result of
an extensive community volunteer effort to re-develop a portion
of the then Ridgeview Education Complex into a public park,
which served various capacities at different points in time including
administrative centers, alternative high schools, child care centers
and more. The area was slated for a massive renovation and re-
opening as a middle school in 2003 and the fields adjacent were
being reconfigured and resod to become community playing fields.
In 2001 Playground Fantástico was designed in collaboration with
Leathers & Associates and funds were raised by multiple sources
including the City of Napa, Napa Valley Unified School District,
Napa Valley Education Foundation, Arts Council of Napa Valley
and other local groups.
Fast forward to today, Playground Fantástico has the opportunity
to be refreshed and redeveloped by the City of Napa for the next
generation of Napa youth. The City has made a concerted
effort to celebrate Playground Fantástico’s past and plan
for a future that continues to inspire children and families.
The new play components will be made of materials that
can withstand the elements and heavy use for many
years to come. The City of Napa, in partnership with
the Foundation for Napa Recreation, formed a steering
committee consisting of members from each of these groups
as well as stakeholders throughout the community from
organizations and individuals serving children. The committee
working intensely over 2018 on design development
and community outreach to reach the new design. The
Playground Fantástico improvement project will replace the
original wood structures and components of the playground on
both the 2-5-year-old and 5-12-year-old play area. The swings,
public art, shade structures, pathways and picnic area will all remain –
and new public art will be added in the form of playground equipment!
Playground Fantástico is projected to be re-opened in Fall of 2019.
Let’s celebrate a one of a kind recreational, public art and cultural
experience that does not exist anywhere else in the Napa Valley!