Folsom breaks ground on new park and fire station. Here’s where, and what they’ll offer

Folsom city workers and community members broke ground on two separate projects Thursday morning in the city’s growing Folsom Ranch development, officials said.

Prospector Park on Sparrow Drive is the first of nine planned parks in the neighborhood development south of Highway 50, said city spokeswoman Christine Brainerd. Fire Station 34 on Westwood Drive will be the first of two stations coming to the development.

Prospector Park will span 12 acres and feature a field, sports courts, picnic areas, nature areas and a dog park, Brainerd said. Its play area will include dueling zip lines, a roller slide and a 20-foot rope climber.

The fire station, which will cost roughly $11.8 million, aims for a spring 2024 completion, while the $8.6 million park is expected to finish summer 2024, city officials said.

Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony began at 9 a.m. at the park and included a mile-long community walk and ride from the site of the park to the site of the fire station.

Officials said Fire Station 34 aims to improve response times. The station will staff an advanced life-support engine and employ three full-time firefighters daily.

“We know that the residents are anxiously awaiting these amenities and we appreciate their patience,” said Councilwoman Sarah Aquino on her way into the fire station site, after propping her bike aside. “It’s an exciting day.”