San Joaquin County neighborhood parks are getting ready for a brighter summer.
San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation has been awarded a $100,000 grant through Trust for Public Land’s Central Valley Park Access and Activation Grant to launch Parks After Dark, a new pilot program designed to bring free evening activities, recreation, wellness programs, and community gatherings to select neighborhood parks in Stockton.
The program is expected to run between June and September, giving families and residents more opportunities to enjoy local parks during the summer months. The goal is simple but powerful: bring neighbors together, create positive activity in public spaces, and make parks feel more welcoming, active, and connected.
“Parks are essential community assets that promote health, connection and opportunity,” said Parks Administrator Ashika Lal. She noted that activating parks with recreation, culture, and wellness programming can help turn them into vibrant shared spaces for the community.
The grant was awarded through a competitive Central Valley application process led by Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit organization that works to create and protect parks and open spaces. San Joaquin County’s Parks After Dark effort builds on similar programs in other California communities where evening park programming has helped increase park use and strengthen neighborhood connections.
In the coming weeks, San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation will ask residents for feedback on what types of activities they would like to see offered in their neighborhood parks. That input will help shape the summer schedule and ensure the program reflects the interests and needs of local families.
The County plans to implement Parks After Dark in partnership with county departments and local community-based organizations, with an emphasis on outreach and broad community participation.
Additional details, including participating park locations, program schedules, and opportunities to provide community feedback, will be announced in the coming months.
For more information, call (209) 331-2050 or email [email protected].