Three parks in Stockton will be getting their playground equipment replaced following a City Council vote at a meeting earlier this week.

The parks that will have new playgrounds include Panella, Weber and Brooking parks. It will cost $526,452 to fund the projects.

Stockton’s Public Works Department had already removed the equipment in 2020 at Panella and Weber parks due to safety concerns and an inability to source replacement components, city documents said.

“I’m excited to see Panella Park on the list, it’s been without equipment for quite a while now,” City Councilmember Dan Wright said. 

The Brooking Park equipment had reached the end of its service life after 30 years and needed to also be replaced.

Jodi Almassy, director of the Public Works Department, said during the council meeting Tuesday that an assessment of playgrounds had been done years ago and now her department is working off of a priority list to take care of each park.

Sandman Park, which had its playground also removed because of safety, will also be getting an all-abilities playground soon following community outreach input. 

She said a lot of feedback on parks came from citizens and requests about playground needs. 

The city is aiming to have the project completed by spring 2024.

Victoria Franco is a Stockton-based reporter covering the diverse news around the Central Valley as part of the Report for America program. As a Stockton native, Franco is proud to cover stories within her community and report a variety of coverage. She is a San Jose State University alumna with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. In her collegiate years she was Managing Editor for the Spartan Daily. From her time at the Spartan Daily she helped lead her staff to California College Media Awards and a General Excellence first place. Victoria encourages readers to email her story tips and ideas at victoria.franco@baycitynews.com.