A nature-themed playground is opening in Stockton this Thursday, complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a reveal of its basketball court mural, city officials said.
The July 14 celebration will take place at Dentoni Park, located at 1430 Royal Oaks Drive, at 6 p.m. The evening will include guest speakers, basketball games and drills, an open playground and refreshments.
The playground features swings, slides, climbers and a sliding pole. Its design was based on research from early childhood development experts and uses 23 sensory elements.
Artist Jason Tetlak, who created and painted the mural for the basketball court, is known for his artwork in places like Denver, Texas, Las Vegas, Miami and Jacksonville that accentuate public spaces, according to city officials.
“The mural is something that I really wanted to see happen to give this park a special identity and colorful feature, so we worked with the Stockton Arts Commission to engage an artist who created something exciting and reflective of our community,” Councilmember Sol Jobrack said in a news release.
Carlos Villapudua, California state assemblymember, helped secure $250,000 in funding to update the playground equipment, which was decades old, and to use for future park enhancements.
“These huge improvements are worth celebrating,” Jobrack said.
More information about Stockton’s parks can be found online or via phone at 209-937-8827.
Victoria Franco is a reporter based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. She is a Report for America corps member.
