about the project
The Large ‘Natural’ Park preserves and enhances an existing oak woodland and meadow ecosystem, offering a flexible and passive open space experience. A public trail loops around the park’s perimeter, connecting to nearby streets and mid-block crossings, ensuring easy access and neighborhood connectivity. The southern portion of the park (3.74 acres) features a series of rolling hills, planted with native oaks and seeded with meadow grasses to reinforce habitat and seasonal color. These landforms also include sloped lawn areas and Rocklin boulder outcrop seating that frame a central lawn glade. Designed for both relaxation and informal recreation, the open glade supports family-friendly activities such as kite flying, frisbee, or kicking a soccer ball. A network of trails weaves through the space, encouraging walking, nature observation, and unstructured play.
In contrast, the Smaller ‘Urban’ Park offers a more active and structured program within a compact footprint. Drawing geometric inspiration from the region’s historic quarries and agricultural orchards, the park’s layout includes angular paths, shaded gathering areas, and a variety of activity zones. The park features a central shaded seating plaza, framed by pollinator gardens and planted edges that provide habitat and visual interest. Additional amenities include a dog park, open lawn, picnic areas, and a series of tree-lined paths with integrated shade and seating. Rock outcrop seat walls, echoing local stone formations, are placed throughout to provide informal gathering points and a strong connection to the site’s geologic identity.
Together, these two parks form a complementary pair of open spaces, balancing natural preservation with urban amenities and offering a diverse range of experiences for College Park residents and the broader Rocklin community.
