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Ford City Park splash pad opens after county-funded improvements
Summary
Kern County celebrated the opening of a new splash pad at Ford City Park; county narration and speakers said about $1.6 million came from ARPA funds and roughly $400,000 from Measure K, with multiple departments involved in repairs and upgrades.
Kern County marked the opening of a new splash pad at Ford City Park on a hot summer day, with residents and county staff gathering to celebrate the completion of the project.
The county said funding for the work included approximately $1,600,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations and about $400,000 from Measure K, a local special tax. An agency official (S3) described the funding split and noted several departments — parks, general services and public works — collaborated on the work. "Well, this is about a $1,600,000, portion that was paid through ARPA monies. Another 400,000 approximately that came from Measure K," the official said.
County narration emphasized that the improvements went beyond the splash pad — repairs to sprinklers and renovated restrooms were cited as part of the project — and framed the investment as long-term support for Ford City residents. A member of the community reflected on the park’s personal significance: "What a great day for Taft... The park has been very instrumental in my life," said a resident (S4).
Officials and community members credited interdepartmental work and local input for the outcome. The county encouraged residents to report nonemergency park issues using the free myKern mobile app by scanning park sign QR codes.
The ceremony included remarks from local attendees and wrapped up with encouragement that the improved space will serve families for years. No formal votes or further actions were recorded in the transcript.
