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Planada community kicks off $2.4M in upgrades to Houlihan Park in Merced County

Sun-Star staff
Community members and local dignitaries break ground during a ceremony for a remodel project at Houlihan Park in Planada, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. In February 2020, Merced County was notified that it would be awarded $2,451,250 in funds from the Proposition 68 grant. The project will install new amenities at the roughly four acre park which include a new splash pad, outdoor stage, jogging path, resurfaced basketball court, pavilions and barbecues among several others.
Community members and local dignitaries break ground during a ceremony for a remodel project at Houlihan Park in Planada, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. In February 2020, Merced County was notified that it would be awarded $2,451,250 in funds from the Proposition 68 grant. The project will install new amenities at the roughly four acre park which include a new splash pad, outdoor stage, jogging path, resurfaced basketball court, pavilions and barbecues among several others. Andrew Kuhn akuhn@mercedsun-star.com

Residents in Planada came together Monday with members of the Merced County Board of Supervisors to kick off $2.4 million in upgrades to Houlihan Park.

Monday’s groundbreaking marks the beginning of work on several new park features that will benefit the community, according to a news release.

Those include a splash pad, a lighted walking loop, 10 outdoor gym exercise stations in five areas, a new water-efficient irrigation system throughout the park and playground improvements with shade and drinking fountains.

Additional improvements will include a renovated basketball court with lighting, eight iron benches created by Le Grand High School students, five new picnic shelters with 24 total graffiti-resistant tables, an additional 11 new graffiti-resistant picnic tables throughout the park and an outdoor performing arts stage with lighting.

The grant funding was secured by Merced County through a statewide park program. It was highly competitive, as the state received 478 applications with 62 projects receiving funding, according to the release.

In addition to the work being funded by the grant, Merced County recently upgraded the restrooms at Houlihan Park. Construction on the total project is expected to be completed by April next year.

Merced County is also currently applying for additional funding for parks in other areas of the county.

This story was originally published August 3, 2021 at 5:00 AM.

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