BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The city of Shafter is gearing up to search for an official name for its newest community park, according to the Shafter City Council meeting agenda.

The new park, currently known as North Shafter Community Park, is 5.5 acres and set to be in the southwest corner of Fresno Avenue and Central Valley Highway.

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In 2022, the city got $3.8 million in state grant funding for the park project. It will feature a playground, pickleball courts, splash pad, exercise equipment, multipurpose court, skate park, covered picnic areas, restrooms and lighting for evening use, city officials said.

The park broke ground in September 2025. It is expected to cost $6 million total — including road and off-site improvements — and set to open in September 2026, according to city officials.

The City Council is being asked to approve forming a park naming committee Tuesday and allow staff to develop and conduct a community-wide park naming contest.

If approved, the City Council would appoint two council members and a Youth Council member each selected by the participating council members. The committee would participate in establishing contest guidelines.

The city would accept both traditional and online name submissions for the park, according to the agenda.

The naming committee would bring back recommendations for the City Council’s final selection at a future meeting.

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This would not be the first time the city of Shafter holds a naming contest for a park.

In May 2009, the City Council created a committee and conducted a contest to name the community park now known as Veterans Park at Los Angeles Avenue and Schnaidt Street.

The City Council is set to consider the committee and contest during its regular meeting at 6 p.m. June 2 at 336 Pacific Ave.

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