If you're watching the rapid growth south of Highway 50 in Folsom, you'll want to know about a new park that's officially on the books for your neighborhood. The Folsom City Council approved "Jackrabbit Hill Park" as the official name for a 10.75-acre neighborhood park at Empire Ranch Road and Mangini Parkway on March 10, 2020. This matters because the park will serve the Folsom Plan Area's 11,000 planned new homes, providing essential recreation space as the community grows.
The park was previously known simply as Neighborhood Park #1, but now it has a proper name and a clear path forward. The council has already allocated $706,614 for design work and approved the master development plan, putting the park on track for construction.
"A new neighborhood park is coming to the Folsom Plan Area. The Folsom City Council approved the Jackrabbit Hill Park Master Development Plan at its May 26 meeting," the City of Folsom announced on Facebook.
The park sits at the northwest corner of Mangini Parkway and Empire Ranch Road, right in the heart of the new residential neighborhoods taking shape in Folsom's southern area. If you've driven past the E. Bidwell Street roundabout on Empire Ranch Road, you've seen the site.
So what's actually coming to this space? According to the city, "The future 10.75-acre park on Empire Ranch Road near the E. Bidwell Street roundabout will include a playground, picnic area, shade structure, multi-use trail, open turf, and landscaping," as reported on Facebook. It's designed as a true neighborhood gathering spot—the kind of place where families can spend a Saturday afternoon.
The city has moved quickly on the planning side. At that same March 10 meeting, the council unanimously approved resolutions establishing the Folsom Plan Area Neighborhood Park #1 project (officially designated as Project # PK2601) and its capital budget. They appropriated $706,614 from the Folsom Plan Area Specific Plan Capital Fund specifically for first-year design and engineering work.
The city also authorized a $450,130 design contract with Wilson Design Studio to prepare the detailed park design and related studies. That's the firm that'll be translating the master plan into construction-ready blueprints.
Now, I'll be straight with you—this isn't a small project. The city currently estimates total construction costs at approximately $9.5 million for Jackrabbit Hill Park. Those funds will come through future appropriations as the project advances from design into actual construction.
If you're a homeowner in the area or you're considering buying in South Folsom, this park represents a significant amenity for the neighborhood. Parks like this don't just provide recreation—they're community anchors that can influence property values and quality of life. With 11,000 new homes planned for the Folsom Plan Area, having dedicated green space and gathering spots becomes increasingly important.
The timeline shows steady progress. The council approved the name in March 2020, then approved the master development plan by May 26, 2020. With design work funded and underway, the park is moving from concept to reality. Keep an eye on city council agendas for updates on construction timelines and any additional funding appropriations as the project moves forward.