Shafter cuts ribbon for reopening park

Shafter celebrated the reopening of Stringham Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday evening. The event marked the completion of a major renovation on the park. Stringham Park now has all-new playground equipment, as well as new grass and restrooms.

The park is now at the Regional Transit bus stop. The stop was formerly located at the intersection of Pacific and Central Valley Highway, where the Shafter City Hall building is located.

There is also a new parking lot at the park site, giving residents more parking spaces and making the area a little safer than the way it was previously configured.

At the event, Shafter Mayor Chad Givens said that the park is named for Elwood "Doc" Stringham, who was a pioneer in the history of the city. Stringham was the namesake of Stringham's Drugstore, a Shafter institution that operated in Shafter for over 50 years.

Stringham's great grand-daughter Angie Mack was at the ceremony, along with her husband and children. She said, "We are honored to have our family be named at this park and honoring the memory of my great grandfather." Also in attendance were City Councilmembers Gilbert Alvarado, Gustavo Olvera, Mayor Pro Tem Cathy Prout and Pete Espinoza.

The project was made possible with a grant from the Clean California monies that the City of Shafter received. So, there was no out-of-pocket expense for the project for the city.

A large number of residents and children were on hand to celebrate the event. "I think this park is great. It is really nice, and my kids just love the playground equipment," commented resident Maricela Munoz, who was there with her two children. "This park is close to our house, so we like to come here a lot. I think it will be a little safer this way, too."