Team Effort

Time to step up and rebuild McKinley Park playground

By Jeff Harris
August 2026

The McKinley Park playground is a place where childhood memories are made. Kids climb towers, race across bridges and explore the play area.

But the playground shows its age. Paint has faded. Surfaces need cleaning. Some equipment needs repairs. Rather than wait for someone to restore it, it’s time for the community to step up.

The task is nothing new.

The original McKinley Park playground was built by volunteers in 1994. It quickly became a destination. When an arson fire destroyed much of the wooden structure in 2012, the community faced a choice: repair the damaged sections or start fresh.

Rebuild McKinley was born.

More than 1,000 children submitted design ideas. In June 2013, about 2,000 volunteers worked for a week to construct the playground.

That’s what happens when neighbors come together.

McKinley Park is one of the city’s most heavily used public spaces. Families enjoy the playground, library, swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, lawns and walking paths.

Now it’s time to give back.

Volunteer workdays are tentatively planned Sept. 19 and 20 to clean, repaint and repair the playground.

Parks Department workers will provide some materials, technical assistance and support. Volunteers will supply energy and elbow grease.

Resources from Friends of East Sacramento and Gifts to Share will buy paint, parts and equipment.

Community-built attractions don’t become special by accident. They endure because people invest time, talent and pride.

If you helped build the playground in 2013, here’s a chance to return and see what your work produced. If you weren’t around then, here’s your chance to become part of the story.

For information on rebuilding the McKinley Park playground, contact Sarah Musser smusser@cityofsacramento.org or Jeff Harris at cadence5371@gmail.com.