May 21, 2019
WOODLAND, CA (May 21, 2019) – Yolo County, in partnership with those listed below, is pleased to invite the community to a ribbon cutting on May 21 for the new Esparto Park and Aquatic Center. The ceremony will be held at 4:00 p.m. at 17257 Yolo Avenue in Esparto. The event will include light refreshments, guest speakers and opportunities to explore the park and aquatics center.
“This new park and aquatic center in Esparto is the result of community members and agencies working together to create a space for residents to engage in health and wellness activities in their local community,” said Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Don Saylor. “We are delighted to celebrate the opening of this community asset.”
In 2001, a group of community volunteers, formally known as the Western Yolo Recreation Center Association (WYORCA), envisioned building a public swimming pool and recreational facility to serve the communities of the Capay Valley. The project gained footing in March 2012 with a $2.9 million grant from the California Department of Parks and Recreation. In 2015, via Proposition 218 proceedings, the community approved an assessment to help fund and support the park’s maintenance and operations. Now, with additional monetary contributions from Yolo County, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the Esparto Unified School District, and through the dedication and hard work of local residents and volunteers in collaboration with WYORCA, the park will soon be open.
“The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is incredibly honored to be able to partner with the leaders and volunteers of the Esparto and Capay Valley community to provide funding to help bring the vision of a recreation and swim center here to reality as the Tuli Mem Park and Aquatic Center,” said Yocha Dehe Tribal Chairman Anthony Roberts. “By coming together to create projects and community resources like this, we show just how much we can do as neighbors to make this an even better place to live and to raise our children in a healthy environment.”
The park sits on 8.67 acres in Esparto, off State Highway 16 at the corner of Yolo Avenue, and is within walking distance of the high school and the elementary and middle schools. The center boasts a wide array of amenities such as: a youth baseball/softball field, a soccer/football field and a full outdoor basketball court; a pedestrian bridge, walking trail and a central gathering area with picnic tables; and a wading pool, eight-lane swimming pool and an aquatics building with restrooms, changing rooms, a meeting room, snack bar and indoor and outdoor showers.
The aquatic center’s programming will be run by the YMCA and will provide lifeguards and swim lessons for youth and adults, as well as lap swim, water exercises and recreational swim. The aquatic center will be open starting this Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The Esparto Community Services District will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the entire site. Those interested in learning more about the Esparto Park and Aquatic Center, including programs and pool schedule, can visit: www.ecsd-ca.org/pool-and-parks or call: (530) 787-4502.