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On December 16, 2017 the Cordova Recreation and Park District opened the 20-acre Heron Landing Community Park. During extensive community outreach stakeholders provided input regarding the selection of amenities. The Cordova Recreation and Park District worked with multiple reviewing agencies to create an accessible and safe community space. As the only community park in the south-west quadrant of the District, Heron Landing provides a great level of service to meet the District’s Master Plan Facility recommendations.

Advancing the Concept of Parks and Recreation

From the earliest stages of planning, the District endeavored to make sure all community voices were heard. Seven community meeting were held throughout the park design process. The final master plan was approved at a public Board of Directors meeting. An additional community meeting was held after master plan approval to specifically discuss the proposed sports field lighting. The District took residents on a tour of existing parks to demonstrate how the sports field lighting would not impact surrounding homes. A final public meeting was held to address neighborhood concerns about potential impacts to residential parking. Overall this park furthers the District’s mission to “lead the region in recreation and parks through excellence and transparency in serving the needs of our diverse and growing community.” 

District staff kept residents informed throughout the duration of construction by posting drone fly-over videos (which garnered 1,977 views) and published regular updates on the District website. When construction was nearing completion, the District conducted a site visit with a concerned resident regarding accessibility. Additional accessible picnic areas were constructed because of this meeting. Both in the beginning and end stages of the project, the District has relied on community outreach to guarantee the success of the project and generate a sense of pride and ownership of the park.

A Conservation Ethic

The park was designed with resource conservation in mind. The inclusion of a corporation yard in the park design provides a satellite maintenance facility for District staff. With the addition of this facility, a 14-mile round-trip drive to the nearest corporation yard is eliminated, thus saving time and money, while reducing carbon emissions. Typically, the largest environmental resource used in a park is water. To address this issue, the park was designed with water-efficient irrigation technology. Additionally, plant material selection included many drought-tolerant and low water-use plant species. Finally, integration of advanced computer technology allows District maintenance staff to remotely control and diagnose the sport lighting, spray park and irrigation. 

Celebrating Nature

Heron Landing is named for its wealth of water birds that use the adjacent wetland as a stopping point along migratory paths. The two-mile perimeter trail connects to the City’s larger bike trail network, which ultimately connects with the Folsom Canal and American River. It is possible to get from Heron Landing Community Park to the Folsom River without having to bike on the roads. As development grows, these 20 acres of open park land will be increasingly treasured by the local community. The park playfully celebrates elements in nature. Large shade canopies in the shape of yellow flowers frame the spray park. Colorful butterfly shade canopies “flutter” through the play area. Amphibious animal sculptures appear to emerge from the water-colored play surfacing. Children will have plenty of loose materials to gather: pine cones, sticks, and grasses, in addition to a full sand box for creative, unstructured play.  In the play area, bright red tree leaves contrast delicate gold feather grass. A demonstration garden includes a seating area where the public can observe the adjacent wetland to the south.
 

Promoting Health

Heron Landing Community Park offers a variety of recreational activities in the District. The District anticipates soccer, lacrosse, softball, flag football, tennis, bocce ball, basketball, turf volleyball, kickball, and ultimate frisbee (just to name a few). More than ever, children need places where they can be active. Heron Landing Park provides a safe environment that encourages active play.
 

Promoting Fun

The park encourages social interaction through various play equipment pieces like the climbers and spinners. By providing two half basketball courts instead of one full court, more groups are encouraged to play. The District worked closely with residents of the disabled community to include specific accessible elements throughout the park so that a variety of experiences can be shared by people of all abilities. At 53,000 square feet, the playground at Heron Landing Community Park is the largest in the District. It includes a wide variety of play experiences for kids with varying types of abilities. Next to both play areas is a large sand play space and on the opposite side is a spray park with nature-themed spray elements. With all, prepare to: bounce, spin, swing, climb, jump, crawl, dig, walk, run or dance your way through these play areas! 

Planning for the Future

Heron Landing Community Park was designed to support the growth that is expected in the Rancho Cordova community. The amenities within its acres reflect years of master plan work and stakeholder involvement. The gentle topography and natural beauty that change unexpectedly each season invite park users to return again and again. Heron Landing Community Park is a successful model for the planning and construction of great community parks in the 21st century.