New Precinct Rises on Broadway: South Tower Replaces Previous Police Substation with Entertainment Venue
Broadway Parque Opens in Fresno's South Tower Neighborhood
Fresno, California, welcomed a new community park on July 31, 2025, as Broadway Parque officially opened its gates. Located at 940 N. Broadway Street, the park replaces a former Fresno police substation that was torn down, marking the culmination of eight years of hard work by the South Tower Community Land Trust.
The transformation of the police station site into a shaded, family-friendly park was initiated by local residents, including Kiel Lopez-Schmidt and his neighbours. Lopez-Schmidt, who grew up in South Tower, Fresno, emphasizes the importance of persistence and collaboration in community projects.
The park's design caters to the enjoyment of children, with swings, a playground, and soft concrete surfaces. The immediate interest shown by neighbourhood children emphasizes the park's success in creating a welcoming, engaging space for the community.
The realisation of Broadway Parque became possible after voters passed Measure P, allowing for the redevelopment of the site. The park's creation demonstrates the impact of community voices in local decision-making, as evident by the 96% of neighbours surveyed who wanted to see a park at the former police station site.
The South Tower Community Land Trust hosted design meetings, attended city hall, and formed a nonprofit to push for the park. Future plans for Broadway Parque include installing a mural on the brick wall and improving the sidewalks and surrounding areas for easier access.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer participated in the park's activities and expressed his approval of the park's conversion from a police station. The park now serves as a symbol of the neighbourhood’s engagement and vision for redevelopment and public space improvement.
Broadway Parque is now open for public use, bringing joy and community gatherings to the neighbourhood. Residents like Ava, a South Tower resident, express their excitement about the new park's features. The park is intended as a long-term community asset, contributing to neighbourhood revitalization and offering a safe gathering place where the police substation once stood.
[1] Local residents push for community park in South Tower
[2] Broadway Parque: A new community park in Fresno's South Tower neighborhood
[3] South Tower Community Land Trust works towards creating Broadway Parque
[4] Fresno's Broadway Parque officially opens
[5] Broadway Parque: A symbol of community engagement and vision for redevelopment
[1] Local residents, like Kiel Lopez-Schmidt, have worked tirelessly to transform their neighborhood, proposing a home-and-garden haven in the form of Broadway Parque, now a shaded, family-friendly park that caters to the enjoyment of children.
[2] Broadway Parque, a community park in Fresno's South Tower neighborhood, offers a welcoming, engaging space for residents, featuring swings, a playground, and soft concrete surfaces, while also serving as a long-term community asset and a symbol of the neighborhood’s engagement and vision for redevelopment.
