Panzak Park to receive major ADA improvements

FOWLER – An upcoming renovation project aims to make Panzak Park accessible to all.

On Aug. 5, the Fowler City Council unanimously approved a $1.1 million project to improve Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance at Panzak Park. The project will see reconstruction of ADA ramps, more accessible pathing and more. 

The ADA curb ramps along Second, Third and Fourth streets will be reconstructed, and new ADA-compliant parking with accompanying ramps will be installed along Second and Third streets. 

Panzak Park will also be better connected and easier to traverse, with new pathways connecting different areas of the park and playground surfaces being replaced to better accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices. 

To go along with the traversal improvements, this project will also bring enhancements to curbs, gutters, tree wells and other streetscape elements. Other additions include a new ADA-compliant drinking fountain and streetlight improvements along Second, Third and Merced streets. 

The project is primarily being funded by the Urban County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which is administered by Fresno County through a joint powers agreement. This agreement is effective from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027, and as a participant Fowler receives annual CDBG allocation.

In addition to the annual allocation, the city also receives program income funds. While the project is approved to make use of the city’s entire $968,800 in program income funds, Fresno County will require a 20% fee for administrative and environmental documentation costs. 

The remainder from this fee will be approximately $775,000. To make up the rest needed for the $1.1 million budget, the city will use around $202,000 of CDBG pool allocation for the 2025-2026 program year and about $145,000 of local Measure C funding. 

The current budget is an approximation, and may be amended with the county if needed.