Merced awarded grant for future park named after Hmong general
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- City of Merced received a $77,000 California Arts and Parks grant for phase one.
- Phase one will build an ADA playground and a natural stone monument to Vang Pao.
- Construction expected to begin spring 2026 and open playground and monument by Sept 2026.
The City of Merced has received a grant to help fund a monument honoring a respected Hmong leader for whom the park will be named.
The California Arts and Parks grant of $77,000 was awarded to the city in September and will go toward completing the first phase of upgrades to the future General Vang Pao Park on the city’s north side.
“This implementation grant is very exciting, because it allows us to complete the project,” said City of Merced spokesperson Jennifer Flachman, noting that an implementation grant differs from a planning grant that only allows for the planning of a project.
Located near the intersection of West Cardella Road and Freemark Avenue, the park, which will be named after the late Gen. Vang Pao, will feature a monument to the Hmong leader as well as an ADA-accessible playground named after late Merced resident and community advocate Aletha June.
“This playground is focused on being all-inclusive in her memory,” said City of Merced Director of Parks and Recreation Christopher Jensen. “In addition to the playground, part of phase one’s design is the Gen. Vang Pao monument and that is what the California State Parks grant is going to help complete.”
Trees and walking paths will also be incorporated throughout sections of the playground. Jensen said natural timber will be used in the design of the park. This includes timber both harvested and from within the city and repurposed in the community park.
The monument to Gen. Vang Pao, an iconic leader in the Hmong community who led people to the United States following the Vietnam War, will consist of natural stone and other artistic elements, according to Jensen. The monument will also feature interpretation panels highlighting Hmong history and culture in Merced. Merced Lao family elders will continue consulting with the city throughout the design and construction of the monument.
The city said the park may even have a large table with seating for community gatherings.
“We’re working on having a natural log, live-edge picnic table for community gatherings — like a 16-seater picnic bench and that will be made out of one of those harvested logs from Merced’s park system,” said Jensen.
Phase two of the project calls for the addition of a walking trail and trailhead overlooking Fahrens Creek as well as a natural water filtration area with native vegetation and a turf field, Jensen said. The second phase of the project currently is not funded.
“We are in contract with Melton Design Group, who is the park planning entity to design the park in two phases,” said Jensen. “The first phase that’s in design now is for Aletha June playground.”
According to the city, plans for the playground honoring June’s memory include wheelchair- accessible ramps and minimal stairs. Plans also call for a rubberized ground surface throughout the playground, making it accessible and safer for wheelchairs and other mobility aids. A canopy swing and swings with a shade structure will also be included.
Jensen said the city hopes to begin construction on phase one of the project in the spring, with the playground and monument open to the public by September 2026.
This story was originally published November 7, 2025 at 12:21 PM.