A PLAYGROUND IN OLD SACRAMENTO, AND DOCUMENTS SHOW THAT THE PROJECT’S ESTIMATED COST JUMPED BY MORE THAN $710,000. THE CITY IS BLAMING TARIFFS, LABOR COSTS AND HIGHER CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR THE INCREASE, AND THAT PUSHES THE PROJECT’S TOTAL BUDGET NOW TO OVER $2.8 MILLION. TONIGHT, THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED USING THE COMMUNITY CENTER FUND TO COVER THE INCREASE, WITH THE REMAINING COSTS COVERED BY A STATE GRANT. THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AND THE GENERAL FUND. THE COUNCIL ALSO APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND AWARDED THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO SACRAMENTO BASED AUTO CONSTRUCTION. THE PARK WILL BE NATIVE AMERICAN THEMED, AND HERE’S AN IDEA OF WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE. IT WAS DESIGNED WITH INPUT FROM THE SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS AND WILTON RANCHERIA. THE PARK WILL BE CALLED MOM TEAM AT NANDI. THAT’S A NISENAN WORD FOR ALONG THE RIVER.
Old Sacramento playground project costs rise, city council approves funding
Updated: 10:34 PM PST Dec 9, 2025
The estimated cost of building a playground in Old Sacramento has increased by more than $710,000, bringing the total budget to over $2.8 million due to tariffs, labor costs, and higher construction expenses.Earlier this year, the city removed several landmarks, including the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum, Ferris wheel and carousel, to make way for a new children’s play area. On Tuesday, the city council approved using the Community Center Fund to cover the cost increase, with the remaining costs covered by a state grant, the American Rescue Plan, and the General Fund. The council also approved the purchase of playground equipment and awarded the construction contract to Sacramento-based Otto Construction.The park will have a Native American theme and was designed with input from the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians and the Wilton Rancheria. It will be called Mómtim C’atnaandÃ, which is Nisenan for “along the river.” Construction is expected to be completed next summer.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
The estimated cost of building a playground in Old Sacramento has increased by more than $710,000, bringing the total budget to over $2.8 million due to tariffs, labor costs, and higher construction expenses.
Earlier this year, the city removed several landmarks, including the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum, Ferris wheel and carousel, to make way for a new children’s play area.
On Tuesday, the city council approved using the Community Center Fund to cover the cost increase, with the remaining costs covered by a state grant, the American Rescue Plan, and the General Fund.
The council also approved the purchase of playground equipment and awarded the construction contract to Sacramento-based Otto Construction.
The park will have a Native American theme and was designed with input from the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians and the Wilton Rancheria. It will be called Mómtim C’atnaandÃ, which is Nisenan for “along the river.”
Construction is expected to be completed next summer.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel