$250k playground expansion planned for C-Bar-C park

By Sara Beth Williams–
Construction and expansion of a new playground is being planned for C-Bar-C Park on Oak Avenue in Citrus Heights.

Sunrise Recreation and Park District Administrator Dave Mitchell said in an email to The Sentinel that planning for new playground construction and expansion is in the beginning stages. The project is estimated to cost $250,000.

During an Aug. 11 City Council meeting, the City of Citrus Heights agreed to contribute $150,000, utilizing funds from Park Impact fees which are paid for by developers. The park district will be coordinating the design and installation.

The current playground at C-Bar-C park is over two decades old. The expansion of the current play structure will include additional seating and new drinking fountains.

The planned Arcade-Cripple Creek trail is slated to be completed in 2023 and will run through several parks, including C-Bar-C. Mitchell said visits to the park are expected to increase because it will be one of two parks along the new trail that has public restrooms. He anticipates C-Bar-C “will be enjoyed by more Citrus Heights residents than ever.”

C-Bar-C Park spans 25 acres and includes a garden and nature area, a baseball diamond, softball field and two soccer fields, a dog park, restrooms, a playground, and numerous walkways and trails, both cemented and unpaved. The park also includes six covered picnic areas, one of which can be reserved through Sunrise Recreation, and five uncovered picnic tables.

As reported previously in The Sentinel, construction of the new 2.9-mile multi-use trail is expected to cost over $10 million. The trail will provide access to eight parks, including C-Bar-C, as well as Sunrise MarketPlace. A small portion of the trail will pass through Sundance Park in Orangevale.

Currently, there are no renderings for future playground designs. Mitchell said over the next few months the park district plans to solicit different playground designs from different playground manufacturers and then present those designs to the public for feedback.

The district anticipates the playground will be completed in 2023, following the same timeline as the expected completion of the Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail.