Delays dampen early spring fun normally offered at Applegate Park
Chain-link surrounds Kiddieland while Zoo doors remain closed
Mercedians and their neighbors are enjoying some of the best weather of the year. Early spring is the time to get out and enjoy those long warm days and cool nights. Residents are all too aware that the scorching heat of valley summer is just around the corner.
Unfortunately for local families, the top amenities at the city’s premier community park — Applegate Park — remain closed for renovations.
The Kiddieland amusement area normally would be enjoying the start of a new season by now, but a planned Opening Day last Saturday was postponed due to “unforeseen delays” in ongoing revitalization work and required inspections.
The Times visited the site on Monday and witnessed a team of workers focused on landscaping and gating upgrades inside a fenced-off zone accented by overgrown grass. Standing tall is a magnificent, new front entrance to Kiddieland that has taken shape. A wide, solid pathway can be seen near where the tracks of the iconic Kiddieland Train used to meander through the park.
Local kids have been anxiously awaiting to ride the shiny, new, and improved electric train that arrived in town last July, right after construction crews put up the fencing, and ripped out the old railroad. The ride itself has been closed since the antique gas-powered train went kaput more than two years ago.
Thousands of people were treated to a glimpse of the new train in December as it rode in the Christmas Parade down Main Street. There was hope the amusement park would be ready for the regular season start on March 21, despite the months-long construction zone that also shortened last year’s Kiddieland season.
In fact, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Merced — the organization that operates the park on a volunteer basis — made an announcement earlier this month that the park would open on time, despite the renovations. However, a few days later, the club issued a notice of postponement, saying, “We want to make sure Kiddieland is a safe, fun and welcoming environment for everyone.”
Kiwanis President Karen Adams told the Times that rain and city engineering delays had already extended the renovation project from a planned Feb. 1 completion date.
“We’re bummed,” she said, but stressed that the club needed “to complete all the safety inspections.”
Merced’s public information officer, Jennifer Flachman, added that the Kiwanis Club was “coordinating work and inspection with city staff to ensure all completed work is approved prior to opening.”
LaDona Sullivan, Kiddieland’s joyful train conductor, called the situation “frustrating” and said all she wants to see is happy kids as she climbs aboard the locomotive and the horn blows to start the ride.
Despite the recent postponement, news of a Kiddieland opening “happening soon” appears to be well-received by residents who have relayed many positive messages on social media.
“Can’t wait,” Deyana Camacho posted on Facebook.
Luz Maria exclaimed, “Yay … So excited to take the kids.”
In 2023, the Kiwanis Club began its ambitious fundraising effort to bring a fancy new electric train to Kiddieland, replace the old tracks with a paved course, and renovate the interior of the site that also includes five other rides, a concession stand, and a special events area. The community answered the call with donations, including tens of thousands of dollars from businesses and organizations, including the Merced County Office of Education, the Central Valley Community Foundation, First Five of Merced County, Union Pacific Railroad, MERCO Credit Union, and the Merced County Times, to name a few. The City of Merced also directed funding to the project.
What about the annual
Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt?
For more than 30 years, the Kiwanis Club has held an Easter Egg Hunt at Applegate Park, typically right next to Kiddieland, which serves as a fun zone after the hunt.
Hundreds of kids and family members show up to the free event on the Saturday before Easter Sunday for a chance to collect treats and take photos that will last a lifetime.
This year, however, the event is in doubt due to the final stages of construction going on.
“We may not have an Easter Egg Hunt,” Adams told the Times on Monday.
Nevertheless, the hunt is still scheduled for April 4 on the Kiwanis website.
Also anticipated is the 2026 Week of the Young Child — a major free community event that was previously scheduled for Saturday, April 18, at Applegate Park. In the past, event organizers have partnered with Kiddieland to enhance the fun for local kids.
What about the Zoo?
Meanwhile, the Merced Zoo at Applegate Park has been closed for renovations since January. At that time, the expected reopening date was April 2, or next Thursday.
However, the city’s website currently says the zoo will be closed through May of 2026.
It’s not clear when the Zoo will actually reopen; however, the Times did put in a request for more information from the city, and is waiting for a response.
The City Council allocated some $1.8 million dollars for the renovations that include: a brand-new Black Bear Exhibit, improved walking paths, and a refreshed Gift Shop entryway.
The good news?
Applegate Park should be quite spectacular when all the work gets done. Kiddieland appears to be getting an amazing new look, with a brand new train, and enhanced safety and security features. The overall footprint of the amusement area has also expanded. The Zoo is also being transformed for an overall pleasant experience with new features to excite even longtime residents.
Good times are coming!
We just have to wait a little bit more, they say.