The city of Santa Clarita hosted a groundbreaking for its 41st park, “Via Princessa Park,” right near the Metrolink station in Canyon Country on Thursday morning.
Local dignitaries and the City Council were in attendance to commemorate the occasion.
The 30-acre park will feature four multipurpose sports fields, four pickleball courts, a pedestrian tunnel, and a nature-themed playground inspired by the Santa Clara River.
“This park also incorporates a stormwater filtration system, similar to the installation at Canyon Country Community Center,” Mayor Laurene Weste said to the audience. “This system is designed to capture and trace stormwater on the site, allowing it to naturally percolate into the ground, rather than flowing into local storm drains and waterways.”
Weste added that Via Princessa Park is not only a representation of new amenities, but also a symbol of the local quality of life.
“It represents the thoughtful planning, smart use of space, and environmental investment in the quality of life for all of Santa Clarita,” Weste said.
Jared Anderson, communications specialist with the city, said the project was a multi-year plan and that building is planned to begin soon.
Anderson said the new park will add a lot of value to Canyon Country.
“Saugus has Central Park. You have Newhall, it has Hart Park, so Canyon Country will have this huge park. So, it’ll just add a nice value to the area for opportunities to recreate, gather and (it is) just a unique, unique place for the park,” Anderson said.
Crystal Carr, representative for Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, said she was excited to be at another groundbreaking for a new park.
“It was really great to hear about all the agencies that were involved in making this happen. It really makes you realize how important parks and recreation, and places where spaces and community can get together, are so important to everybody in this community,” Carr said.
After the ceremony, City Council members, local dignitaries’ representatives, and Santa Clarita workers gathered around the mound of dirt smiling and holding shovels to initiate the groundbreaking.
