Completed in November 2024, Exploration Park in Anatolia honors the aerospace history of the area through its creative design and engaging elements. Photo: CRPD
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA – Cordova Recreation & Park District (CRPD) was honored with the Facility Design & Park Planning Award at the California Recreation & Park Society District 2 2025 Awards & Installation Banquet on February 26, 2025. The award recognizes excellence in the planning and design of parks and facilities that enhance community recreation and quality of life. The winning project, Exploration Park, embodied innovation, creativity and community engagement in park development.
Exploration Park was designed to celebrate Rancho Cordova’s rich aerospace history and the community’s contributions to rocket technology, including the Saturn V rocket. The park’s space exploration theme was reflected in its play areas, architectural elements and landscaping, immersing visitors in an interactive and inspiring environment.
A collaborative effort between public and private entities brought this park to life. The park was designed by Sam Harned Landscape Architecture for Cresleigh Homes Corporation, with CRPD’s Park Planning team playing a vital role in the review process to ensure the final design aligned with community priorities and accessibility standards. The result was a park that fosters physical, emotional and mental well-being while providing a safe and engaging recreational space for all visitors.
Exploration Park features a variety of unique design elements that set it apart from traditional playgrounds. A central hillside slide, rubberized surfaces depicting stars and planets and roped play climbers simulating the bending fabric of space-time created an immersive and stimulating experience. A climbable sculpture of a hand holding a meteorite serves as a striking centerpiece, symbolizing humanity’s pursuit of knowledge and exploration. These artistic and interactive features encourage imaginative play and curiosity while strengthening the community’s connection to its aerospace legacy.
CRPD staff members pose with the Facility Design & Park Planning Award at the California Recreation & Park Society District 2 2025 Awards & Installation Banquet on February 26, 2025. Photo: CRPD
Since its opening in November, Exploration Park has quickly gained popularity, with residents expressing enthusiasm about its innovative design. The park’s thoughtful blend of history, art and recreation aligns with CRPD’s mission to enhance the community’s quality of life by providing accessible and engaging outdoor spaces. As more visitors continue to discover the park, it is expected to inspire curiosity about space exploration while offering a dynamic environment for outdoor recreation.
“Coming up with a great concept and being able to carry it through to the finished park provides not just a great community asset, but is also a touchstone for reinforcing who we are and where we are from, speaking directly to our history and culture,” said Terry Zeller, CRPD’s Principal Planner who was heavily involved in the design process for Exploration Park. “The parks we create at CRPD seek to root the neighborhoods where they are built into the fabric of the community, to build on the quality of life and what it means to be a part of this dynamic and amazing part of California. I am thrilled that this park was recognized for the way in which it reflects our place in the story of space exploration, of our contribution to history, to the present and the future.”
CRPD is proud to receive this recognition and remains committed to developing parks that enrich the lives of residents. Exploration Park will have a formal grand opening in the spring, where residents can join CRPD staff to celebrate the park’s opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and activities. For more details, visit cordovarpd.gov or follow our social media pages @corodvarpd.