Introducing:

Sherman Acres New Minipark

...Honoring the Past 

On Saturday June 25, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District officially opened a brand new minipark. Sherman Acres Minipark, designed for children two to five years old, is a passive park with an aviation theme. It is located on Sherman Drive in the Sherman Acres housing development nestled next to the sound wall.

The theme comes from a busy airport that operated on the 107-acres in this neighborhood between 1941 and 1951.With the declaration of World War II in late 1941, the airport ceased operating as a private airport and became a navigation and instrument flight-training station. Civilian flying returned in late 1945.

It closed in 1951 when the freeway was built through the center portion of what had been the airport. 

According to Veronica Paschall, a 47-year resident of Sherman Acres and President of the Homeowners Association, when the freeway was widened about 20 years ago, neighbors envisioned this small parcel of land as a park.  

In a collaborative spirit, the City of Pleasant Hill asked Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District to make the vision a reality.

The Park District surveyed neighbors and found that they were interested in a park for children, and one that they could use as a stop on neighborhood walks. Although budgets have been extremely tight, in 2010, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District had left-over funds from a state grant that had to be used or lost. Park Superintendent Lynn Spatz worked with landscape architect Phil Abey on a plan. Spatz's husband Rich, an aviation buff, became involved and initiated the idea to commemorate the area's history. He worked with Jon Bawden of Ross Recreation to design play equipment to replicate a 1940-era model aircraft and tower.  

As a result, Sherman Acres Park has a play structure representing an airport tower and another that represents a yellow Piper Cub - the same type of aircraft used at Sherman Field in the late 1940s.

The area is composed of both landscape and hardscape with a path around the perimeter wide enough for wagons, tricycles, and more! It has a picnic table, benches, and mature and newly-planted trees.

Approximately 40 enthusiastic neighbors, friends, Park District, and City officials attended the opening ceremonies. Rebekah Lynn and her husband Jeff, who moved to the neighborhood 14 months ago, said, "We are really excited about it" and expect that their young son will enjoy many sunny afternoons there.

At the opening, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Board Chair Sandy Bonato said the park was a true collaboration. She thanked the City of Pleasant Hill for contributing the water meter for the site, fencing, curb painting, and signs.  She also thanked Veronica Paschall for never losing the vision for a neighborhood park; resident and aviation historian Bill Larkins for his research on local history; Phil Abey of Abey Arnold Associates Landscape Architecture; Rich Spatz; Jon Bawden of Ross Recreation; Jerry Amason and his brother Nile of Lemings Irrigation, the primary contractor for the park; City Public Works and other City staff for their help and cooperation; and Todd Smith and Park Maintenance staff from Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District who assisted the contractor to grade and install the play equipment and hardscape.  

Stop by and take a look! When you visit the new minipark, pick up a flyer on the history of Sherman Field. It's a great place to relax and envision Pleasant Hill's historic past.

 Read more about the history of Sherman Field.