NAPA, CA — The City of Napa is moving ahead with its vision to revitalize Fuller Park with an innovative playground renovation that blends art with accessibility. On Tuesday, February 18, the Napa City Council was expected to adopt a resolution to authorize the fabrication, delivery, and construction of the final design for the Fuller Park Playable Art Project.
The agreement with Specified Play Equipment Company, totaling $2,491,464—including contingency funds—marks a significant step toward bringing the project to life. This new phase of the project will ensure that the children of Napa will soon have access to a modern, imaginative, and inclusive playground.
Located at 560 Jefferson Street, Fuller Park has long been a beloved space for families. The current playground, which serves children ages 5 to 12, was installed in 2002 but has fallen into disrepair. The new design will replace the outdated equipment with artist-designed playable structures, inclusive ground-level play equipment, and a new rubberized safety surfacing. The playground for younger children, ages 2 to 5, which was installed in 2017, will be relocated to another park in the city for continued use.
The centerpiece of the redesigned playground is an interactive sculpture titled “Leaves On A Line,” created by local artist Daniel Wodarcyk. Inspired by nature, the sculpture aims to promote creativity, physical activity, and problem-solving skills while offering a unique multidimensional play experience. According to Parks and Recreation Director Breyana Brandt, the design was created with input from the community, ensuring that it meets the needs of children of all abilities. “We’re so excited to bring this new playground to Fuller Park,” Brandt said. “This project will make it an even better spot for families to gather and play.”
The design process included an extensive public engagement effort, with a dedicated Fuller Park Playable Art Thematic Committee formed to help guide the project. The committee, which included local stakeholders from fields such as childhood development, public art, and inclusivity, played a key role in shaping the project’s theme. After three public meetings, the committee chose a “Trees & Nature” concept, which ultimately inspired the selection of the “Leaves On A Line” design.
Additionally, the project involved collaboration with representatives from the special needs community to ensure that the playground would feature inclusive play equipment that meets the needs of children with various abilities. The final design, which was unanimously recommended by the Napa Parks, Recreation, and Trees Advisory Commission and the Public Art Steering Committee after a public review on January 28, includes over 20 ground-level play elements. These elements will include slides, swings, climbing structures, musical components, and sensory features to foster teamwork, social interaction, and accessibility.
City Manager Steve Potter expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its alignment with the community’s priorities. “The Fuller Park Playable Art Project is an exciting way to bring more creativity and inclusivity into our city,” he said. “We’ve heard from the community that investing in spaces for kids and families is a priority, and this project is a great example of how we’re making that happen.”
Construction of the playground is expected to begin in late 2025, following the completion of final design documentation. As the city moves toward this exciting transformation, Fuller Park will soon offer a state-of-the-art space for children of all ages and abilities to play and explore.