PRESS RELEASE

Yolo County is thrilled to announce the grand opening of the new Knights Landing Park, a transformative moment in the community’s development and a testament to the collaborative efforts of residents and local leaders. The official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at 9600 Mill Street, in Knights Landing.

This celebration marks the culmination of years of dedication and planning, initiated in 2018 through a community-driven process aimed at creating a vibrant recreational space for the residents of Knights Landing. The park, which spans over 7 acres, will feature a variety of amenities, including soccer fields, a children’s playground, walking paths, and picnic areas, ensuring a welcoming environment for all ages.

The completion of Knights Landing Park reflects the community's and county’s commitment to enhancing quality of life. Yolo County Supervisor Angel Barajas, a champion for this initiative, stated, “We have converted an empty, desolate field into a beautiful, thriving park so our children, seniors, and working families can enjoy it for generations to come. It was a promise that my Board colleagues and I made to the Knights Landing community. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this vision a reality, especially those community members and partners who participated.”

“Parks are vital for our physical, emotional and mental health and well-being; the investment of county resources into this new park will enhance quality of life in the Knights Landing community,” said Lucas Frerichs, Chair of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. “I’m grateful to all those who contributed to make this new community gathering space a reality, and I hope that residents throughout Yolo County will take some time to enjoy our county’s diverse park offerings.”

Since 2018, Yolo County has led a community-centered planning process to realize the Knights Landing community’s vision of transforming a long-vacant parcel into a vibrant recreational space. The County committed over $3 million, providing the largest share of the project's funding through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds totaling $2.28 million, a County Parks Development Impact Fee of $362,000, a Cannabis Tax Allocation of $228,000 and Proposition 68 per capita funds of $260,000. Complementing the County’s substantial investment, other funding sources include a California State Parks grant of $814,649, and State Budget Appropriations from Senator Bill Dodd and Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry totaling $1.25 million, along with a contribution from the Knights Landing CSD Parks Fee of $50,000. Together, these diverse resources demonstrate a collective commitment to revitalizing this essential community space. Dedicated to Yolo County through a 30-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Woodland Joint Unified School District, the project represents a lasting promise to the Knights Landing community.

“Knights Landing Park is a remarkable achievement that highlights the power of collaboration between Yolo County, WJUSD, and our community,” said WJUSD Board President Rogelio Villagrana. “By working together, we’ve created a recreational space that meets the needs of our residents and provides a space for our youth to grow and develop. We are proud to be part of this effort to enhance the quality of life for Knights Landing families. This park is a testament to what we can achieve when we all work together for the benefit of our youth and our community as a whole.”

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will include remarks from Yolo County Chair Lucas Frerichs and County Supervisor Angel Barajas, the WJUSD Board President, and community leaders, followed by light refreshments and an opportunity for residents to explore the new park facilities. All community members are invited to join in this celebration of progress and togetherness.

This initiative aligns with Yolo County’s strategic plan for a Robust Economy and Thriving Residents by fostering community well-being and enhancing quality of life. For more information about the event and the Knights Landing Park project, please visit www.YoloCounty.gov.