Here’s what is planned on small lot at McKinley Avenue and Highway 41 on-ramp
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Caltrans converts freeway-adjacent lot into McKinley Peace Garden, $1.6M project.
- Garden includes ADA access, planter boxes, benches, restrooms, parking and irrigation.
- Murals by Eric Thomas and Vanessa Gomez; city to maintain, hours will be set.
Have you been wondering what’s being built on a pocket of land tucked next to the southbound Freeway 41 on-ramp and McKinley Avenue? You might be surprised to find out it’s going to be a community gathering space.
Caltrans is converting the oddly shaped dirt lot into the “McKinley Peace Garden,” an ADA compliant public area with planter boxes, benches, an irrigation system, parking spaces, and restrooms. There will also be road access from McKinley Avenue.
The $1.6 million project is part of the state’s Clean CA Program to enhance communities and clean up roadsides.
The beautification project is like the one Caltrans funded under Freeway 180 in San Pablo Park near downtown Fresno. Artists and muralists created vivid art on the towering freeway columns.
The McKinley Peace Garden will also receive a series of murals by artists Eric Thomas and Vanessa Gomez.
Neighborhood residents were involved in the naming of the community garden and the art selection, said Alex Aguilera, public information office for Caltrans District 6.
Construction crews have been busy on the project installing a protective fence around the perimeter of the property and installing benches, planter boxes, trees and other landscaping.
Aguilera said the park is expected to be completed by the end of next month. Maintenance will be handled by the City of Fresno.
Aguilera added that the garden will not be open 24 hours.
“To maintain the integrity of the garden and maintain an efficient environment for community members, there will be designated hours to when the community garden will be open to the public,” he said.
Although some may question the safety of putting a community garden near a freeway on-ramp, Aguilera said the projected was vetted by state regulators.
“The site has been environmentally cleared via the CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) process, with additional soil sampling to indicate the site can be used for this activity,” Aguilera said.
