ECRG members advocating for better parks in Antioch
An Antioch neighborhood is celebrating a brand new playground, thanks to a group of parents who worked with the city to renovate one of Antioch’s most dilapidated parks. To celebrate, the parents and representatives from the City of Antioch are holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 10 to unveil the new and improved Prosserville Park, now one of the largest parks in the city. The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and have races, arts and crafts, face painting, and plenty of time for kids to play on the new structures.
The campaign for the new playground began when the East County Regional Group, a parent advocacy group First 5 Contra Costa sponsors, rated every park in Antioch. Their findings revealed that parks located in the city’s lower-income communities had higher crime, graffiti, and unsafe conditions compared to the city’s newer neighborhoods.
Prosserville before
The parents presented their findings to the Antioch City Council and city staff joined their efforts. To date, they have raised $500,000 and successfully renovated the two Antioch parks found to be in the worst shape. The new and improved Prosserville Park now covers 6,000 square feet, and includes:
- New play structures
- Climbing rocks and ropes
- New picnic area
- Benches
- LED lighting
- Water fountain
- Newly planted trees
Physical outdoor play is important for children’s health and development, but not all children in Antioch have access to safe, usable parks and playgrounds. Crime, loitering, and unsafe conditions have prevented families from enjoying Prosserville Park – until now. This is the third park in East Contra Costa these parents have renovated.
Prosserville now: one of the biggest parks in Antioch!
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