Storyland to receive $1 million grant for renovations and accessibility upgrades

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Storyland, a beloved destination for generations of Central Valley families, is acceptable to person a $1 cardinal assistance aimed astatine revitalizing the aging attraction and improving accessibility.

City officials and assemblage partners announced the backing Tuesday, which volition travel from Measure P nether the younker improvement category. The assistance volition enactment a bid of upgrades to the 63-year-old park, including ADA-compliant restroom stalls and railings for its 2 bath facilities.

"In this year's budget, with the enactment of my assembly colleagues and Mayor Dyer, we were capable to unafraid $1 cardinal toward much-needed improvements present astatine Storyland," said Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell.

Storyland, known for its Mother Goose-themed exhibits and literacy-focused attractions, draws astir 1,500 visitors each period and hosts astir 3,000 schoolchildren annually for tract trips. Admission is $8 per child, making it an affordable enactment for families who whitethorn not person entree to larger taxable parks.

"We cognize successful our assemblage a batch of our kids are not capable to spell retired of town, are not capable to spell to Disneyland oregon assorted taxable parks," said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer. "This is their taxable park. This is their Disneyland."

Storyland besides operates Playland, its sister park, which is undergoing authorities inspections this week. If approved, Playland is expected to reopen with a brushed motorboat adjacent month.

The renovations volition sphere Storyland's whimsical charm portion ensuring it remains accessible to each visitors. "The parkland was built successful 1962, and that truly wasn't a conception successful beingness then," said committee subordinate Joe Denham, referring to ADA standards.

Executive Director Cindy Lee emphasized that the park's ngo volition stay unchanged. "It's ever been a literacy park. It's ever been themed connected Mother Goose, and it volition ever enactment that way," she said.

Maxwell, who grew up visiting Storyland, reflected connected its impact. "It's wherever I archetypal learned astir the Old Lady that lives successful a shoe; it's wherever I learned astir Goldilocks and the Three Bears; it's wherever I pretended to beryllium a pirate."

With the caller funding, Storyland is poised to proceed inspiring imaginativeness and play for aboriginal generations.

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