Background

In December 2021, the City of Davis was awarded a grant in the amount of $2.784 million by the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program to renovate Central Park and create an interactive water play feature near the existing universal play structure and restroom. The interactive water feature will be accessible to persons with disabilities and will complement the existing universal playground located adjacent to the new water feature. The new feature and great lawn renovation will include the following:

• New, interactive water feature (splash pad) and gathering space for all ages
• Ultraviolet disinfection system, reducing the need for chemical treatment of the water and allowing for safe water re-use
• Biofiltration basins near the interactive water feature will capture storm water and increase groundwater recharge
• Retrofit of the Great Lawn drainage system to reducing ponding
• Creation of new pollinator gardens
• New educational displays, including information about pollinators and drought-tolerant landscaping
• New public art honoring Natalie Corona
• Added benches, picnic tables, and low-wall seating
• Two new shade structures
• Planting of new trees

Natalie Corona Committee & “Natalie’s Corner”

Running concurrent to this project was the establishment of the Natalie Corona Committee which was formed by various community members. The Committee was created to recommend a place of remembrance for Davis Police Officer Natalie Corona who was killed in the line of duty and to secure the necessary funding to complete the remembrance. The Committee is a community-based group led by former Mayor Lois Wolk. City staff have worked with the Committee over the last several years to conduct multiple community outreaches, the last of which was held in late September 2022. At that time, it was determined that there was clear convergence on naming the splash pad “Natalie’s Corner.”

On November 1, 2022, the Davis City Council passed a resolution which authorized the naming of the splash pad as “Natalie’s Corner” and approved the community-based Natalie Corona Committee to assist in raising funds for the Central Park renovation project.

Construction of Natalie’s Corner and related improvements to the lawn area started in August 2024. The Great Lawn work is scheduled to be finished at the end of November with Natalie's Corner being completed at the end of June 2025.

Click here to view the updated concept design for Natalie's Corner at Central Park.

Click here to download to the January Update Newsletter from the Committee.

Donations

To donate to "Natalie's Corner" please visit: https://sacregcf.org/nataliescorner or scan the QR code.

You can also make a donation by mailing a check Yolo Community Foundation with a note for Natalie's Corner at:

Yolo Community Foundation
P.O. Box 1264
Woodland, A 95776

If you have any questions or comments on this project, please contact csweb@cityofdavis.org