Upgraded Eastside park expected to be well used in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara Eastside, a densely populated area of the city, is getting back one of the few parks near the homes there.

A ribbon cutting will celebrate the park's recent improvements.

That includes two new playgrounds, fitness equipment and remodeled restrooms.

The City Parks and Recreations Department said in a news release: the Eastside Neighborhood Park Improvement Project was a collaborative effort guided by community input to create a safer and more enjoyable space for residents while bringing expanded recreation opportunities to the neighborhood.

The park will also have accessible pathways to connect park features, renovated turf areas, refreshed murals, and more than 250 cubic yards of fresh mulch. Enhancements to Yanonali Garden, the community garden within the park, are still ongoing.

The reopening of the park is vital to the recreational needs of the area along with the community unity.

Alejandra Gutierrez is the district representative on the Santa Barbara City Council for this area. At the ribbon cutting event led by Mayor Randy Rowse she said, "this neighborhood is not like many neighborhoods in the city. Most of these children don't have a back yard or a front yard to play so the parks is that  play area for them."

She said it is also a place for birthday parties, special events and community unity.

There are not many other choices nearby and the closest large part is Ortega Park on the other side of Milpas Street which often has sports events.

Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Director Jill Zachary said, the park was completed with design and input from the neighbors who were included in a number of planning sessions along the way.

The Eastside park is located at 118 N. Soledad St.

(More details, photos and video will be added here later today.)