Southside Park (Sacramento)

The theme of the playground is “the solar system”. Three distinct age appropriate play areas have been designed to include a rubber surfaced play area for infants under the age of 2, a tot lot for pre-school age children (2-5 year olds), and an adventure play area for school age children (5-12 year olds). Unique play features are included in the design to create a sensory enriched accessible playground. Such unique play elements in the play areas include an adventure play equipment with access ramps and handrails, a tot lot play equipment with access ramps and handrails, a merry-go-around, swings, spring riders, group rocking units, self propelled spin play units, independent climbing apparatuses and play units with sound features. Brightly colored protective rubber play surfacing in shapes of different planets also add to the space theme.

One focal point in the accessible playground is the decorative central seating area with seat walls and a colored sun pattern in the concrete paving which further enhance the solar galaxy theme.

A 10-foot wide concrete walkway borders the entire accessible playground site and provides two entries into the accessible playground from 6th Street. This pathway can support persons in wheelchairs and pedestrians. Pathways have various colors and textures to again stimulate different senses. Additional security is provided by a 3-foot high decorative wall and ornamental metal fence that secures the west portion of the accessible playground by eliminating direct access from the playground to the adjacent street.

Other amenities in the accessible playground include an art sculpture, raised planters, therapeutic gardens with various textured and scented plants, picnic tables, benches, trash receptacles, a drinking fountain, bike racks, flowering shrubs and groundcovers.

This 19.5 acre park includes the following amenities:

• Amphitheater
• Aerated Park Pond*
• Close to .75 acre Southside Community Garden (1 block away)
• Lake with Fishing Piers
• Two Lighted Tennis Courts, each with Pickleball Striping
• Lighted Basketball Court with Sacramento Kings colors and logo
• Par Course with Four Fitness Stations
• Picnic Areas:
• GA1 – 3 Tables, no barbeque
• GA2 – 14 Tables, 1 barbeque
• GA3 – 4 Tables, 1 barbeque
• GA4 – 11 Tables, 2 barbeques
• GA5 – Gazebo area with 2 tables, no barbeque
• New Restroom (2022)
• “Universal Universe” Play Area – Accessible (16,800 Square Feet) – near pool and close to restroom:
  • New playground Rubber Resurfacing (2022)
  • Adventure Play Area for school age children (5-12 years old)
  • Play Area for infants under the age of 2
  • Tot Lot for pre-school age children (2-5 years old)
  • Other accessible playground amenities:
    • Art sculpture
    • Raised planters
    • Therapeutic gardens with various textured and scented plants
    • Picnic tables
    • Benches
    • Trash receptacles
    • Drinking fountain
    • Bike racks
    • Flowering shrubs
    • Ground covers
    • Musical Equipment
    • We Go Round
• Southside Clubhouse
• Swimming and Wading Pool
• Three-foot high Decorative Wall and Ornamental Metal Fence that secures the west portion of the accessible playground by eliminating direct access from the playground to the adjacent street.
• Three-quarter Mile Jogging Trail
• Walkway (10-foot wide): wheelchair and pedestrian accessible–with 2 entries–surrounding the entire accessible playground area

*Southside Park Pond improvements included full water circulation by floating circulators, micro aeration with air compressors and diffusers to release air bubbles through water column, aerobic bacteria inoculation and electrical upgrades.