The City of Goleta is on its way to having its first splash pad and community garden. Groundbreakings for both projects were held on June 12 starting with the community garden site at Armitos Park, followed by the splash pad location at neighboring Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park. Watch a video recap of the event here: https://youtu.be/tWpP5eHnP-o.
Construction began June 20th and is anticipated to be completed in mid-October. Armitos Park will be closed to the public beginning June 20th through the remainder of the construction period. Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park will have portions of the park open as long as it is safe for the public. The portions of the park that will be closed to the public beginning June 20th include the basketball court, parts of the parking lot, the bocce and Bankshot courts, one of the covered picnic shelters and the chess/checker tables. As an alternative, basketball players can use the court located behind the Goleta Community Center at 5679 Hollister Avenue.
The community garden will be constructed in the undeveloped area of Armitos Park, south of the playground. The design includes raised garden plots, a picnic area with a pizza oven, a gathering/education area, tool sheds and more. The playground will also receive a refresh that includes the addition of swings, sand features and music elements. In addition, the multi-purpose path adjacent to Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park will be extended to Armitos Avenue.
At neighboring Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park, the City will be installing a splash pad and working on other upgrades to the park. The splash pad will nestle between the basketball court and one of the picnic shelters. The park will also receive additional fencing for basketball and pickleball, shade structures over the picnic areas by the soccer field and more. Once construction is complete, the basketball court will be resurfaced.
We know the community is looking forward to being able to use the community garden and splash pad. More information will be released later this summer about how you can secure a raised garden bed location.
Thank you for your patience as we bring these two exciting projects to Goleta.
Photos from the event:
Top right: Community Garden Groundbreaking, pictured left-to-right: District 1 Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín, Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards, District 2 Councilmember James Kyriaco, and Councilmember Stuart Kasdin
Group photo at the community garden groundbreaking at Armitos Park
Splash Pad Groundbreaking, pictured left-to-right: District 1 Councilmember Luz Reyes- Martín, District 2 Councilmember James Kyriaco, Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards, and Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Richard Jenkins
Group photo at the splash pad groundbreaking at Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park