Groundbreaking Ceremony Set for O’Banion Park Renovation Project in Dos Palos

Merced County officials, along with community partners and residents, will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the O'Banion Park Renovation Project at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025, at the corner of Center Avenue and Ione Street in Dos Palos.

The O'Banion Park renovation will deliver a wide range of new amenities designed to enhance recreation and community gatherings. Planned improvements include:

• A new walking path throughout the park
• Picnic tables, benches, pavilions, and shade structures
• A small stage and gathering space for community events
• A splash pad and hydration stations
• Lighting for pedestrian pathways and basketball courts
• New sod, planters, and an updated irrigation system

In addition to these amenities, the project will feature significant utility upgrades, including a new irrigation pump, water service, electrical service, and sanitary sewer connections to ensure long-term sustainability.

The renovation is made possible through funding provided by the Caltrans Clean California Grant Program, Measure V, and Merced County funds.

"This project is about more than park improvements-it's about building a place where families can spend time, children can play, and our community can come together," said Supervisor Scott Silveira, whose District 5 includes Dos Palos. "The investment in O'Banion Park reflects our ongoing commitment to improving quality of life for residents in Dos Palos and across Merced County."

O'Banion Park is already home to the new Jerry O'Banion Library and the recently renovated Del Hale Hall Community Center, and the addition of these upgrades will further establish the site as a central gathering place for the community.

Construction is expected to last through the summer of 2026.