Bakersfield to replace Riverwalk playground, add shade and accessibility upgrades

Darren Budak, the City of Bakersfield’s recreation and parks director, told the "Something Better" podcast that the Riverwalk park playground — original equipment installed in 2006 — will be replaced and modernized with new play elements, increased shade and an accessible surfacing system.

"That's original equipment. It's been in there 20 years now," Budak said, noting that a typical playground life cycle is about 12 to 15 years. He added the city is "finally gonna get it done" and has asked staff and suppliers to meet a tight timeline so the playground could be ready by July 4.

Budak described the new surfacing as a "pour‑in‑place" rubber product that meets Americans with Disabilities Act access standards and HIC (head impact) fall‑protection criteria. "It's not only an access for ADA, it's also a fall protection for use of the playground," he said. He also said the city will retain some sand play elements while expanding rubberized areas to improve safety and year‑round use.

The director said Bakersfield has pursued accessibility beyond the minimum standard: the city aims to make roughly one out of every six to eight renovated playgrounds completely ADA‑accessible and to add play elements that address mobility, sight and hearing needs.

The Riverwalk work is one of several parks projects Budak described on the program. He listed recent upgrades at Wilson Park — including new fencing and courts — and said council recently approved design work for two new neighborhood parks, Alondra Park and Herschel Moore Park. Budak also said the city will begin construction at Anton Giovani Park, near Miller Elementary School, and that the Masonry Inn complex will open four new fields in mid‑ to late summer, enabling the city to host larger youth softball and baseball tournaments.

"We're gonna now position [the City of Bakersfield] in a unique position to attract those types of tournaments," Budak said, describing the expected economic impact as "phenomenal." He noted a short‑term partnership with Bakersfield High School (BHS) for field use while the school completes construction on its field.

Budak declined to provide an exact construction schedule beyond the July 4 target for Riverwalk; budget amounts and contract awards were not specified on the podcast. The department said it worked with suppliers to accelerate delivery of playground equipment.

The Parks and Recreation Department oversees more than 60 parks citywide, Budak said, and is balancing maintenance needs with new programming and improvements. The city encourages residents to follow Parks and Recreation announcements for schedules, closures and ribbon‑cutting notices.