City of Merced Breaks Ground on General Vang Pao Park and Aletha June Playground
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Merced Breaks Ground on General Vang Pao Park and Aletha June Playground
MERCED, Calif. [July 14, 2026] - The City of Merced, community partners, elected officials, and residents gathered this past weekend to celebrate the official groundbreaking of General Vang Pao Park and the Aletha June Playground, marking the beginning of construction on a project years in the making that will create a culturally significant and inclusive destination for generations to come.
More than a new neighborhood park, General Vang Pao Park is an approximate 8-acre park that represents the culmination of extensive community engagement and a shared vision to honor the legacy of General Vang Pao and the contributions of Merced's Hmong community while expanding access to recreation for people of all abilities.
General Vang Pao was a respected military leader who led Hmong forces in Laos during the Vietnam War while supporting United States military operations during the CIA-led Secret War. Following the fall of Laos in 1975, he became a leading advocate for Hmong refugees seeking safety and new opportunities in the United States. His leadership helped pave the way for thousands of Hmong families to resettle in communities across California, including Merced, where they have made lasting contributions to the city's cultural, civic, educational, and economic vitality. Today, Merced is home to one of the nation's largest Hmong communities, making the park a meaningful tribute to both General Vang Pao's legacy and the enduring contributions of the Hmong people.
Located in north Merced, the park will transform underutilized land into a vibrant community gathering space featuring the Aletha June Playground, an all-inclusive playground designed to provide children of all abilities the opportunity to play together. Future phases will include the General Vang Pao Memorial Plaza, public art, educational features celebrating Hmong culture, additional trail connections, and other park amenities.
"This groundbreaking represents much more than the start of construction," said Chris Jensen, Director of Parks and Community Services. "Aletha June and General Vang Pao speak to the advocacy and importance for continuing to fight for the right to participate in your community and the right to prosper. General Vang Pao did that internationally with migration to the United States, and Aletha June did that regionally, pushing for the rights of inclusivity of people with specific needs. This continues our mission to play on purpose and ensure that everyone is involved with our local play opportunities."
The project has been made possible through strong partnerships and multiple funding sources. The Park Master Plan and construction of Phase 1 will cost approximately $1.6 million. The City of Merced gratefully acknowledges First 5 of Merced County, which awarded the City a $700,000 grant, including $300,000 dedicated specifically to the design and construction of the inclusive, ADA-accessible Aletha June Playground. The City also committed Park Reserve funds to match the remaining costs needed to complete the playground's design, development, and construction.
The City received a $77,000 Arts in California Parks Implementation Grant through the California Arts Council to support the design and installation of the General Vang Pao Memorial Plaza's public art, including a memorial statue and mural celebrating Hmong history, culture, and contributions to the Merced community.
Locally, residents have contributed more than $10,000 toward the playground through the 2025 Gateway to Yosemite 5K/10K Run/Walk, demonstrating the community's continued investment in creating inclusive recreational opportunities for future generations.
The General Vang Pao Park project has been shaped through years of collaboration with Hmong elders, the Merced Lao Family Community, the Hmong Youth Group of Merced, parents of children with disabilities, neighboring residents, community organizations, and City commissions. Their input helped create a park that reflects both the cultural significance of the site and the community's desire for accessible recreation opportunities.
The Aletha June Playground honors the legacy of local advocate Aletha June, whose work championed inclusive recreation and opportunities for children and individuals with disabilities. Together, the playground and General Vang Pao Park reflect the City's commitment to creating public spaces where everyone can gather, play, learn, and belong.
The groundbreaking marks the first phase of a larger vision to develop approximately nine acres into a community park that celebrates Merced's cultural diversity while providing much-needed park space in a growing area of the city. Once complete, the park will feature inclusive recreation, public art, cultural interpretation, native landscaping, educational opportunities, and community gathering spaces that honor the past while serving future generations.
For project updates and information on General Vang Pao Park, visit engage.cityofmerced.gov and follow the City of Merced and City of Merced Parks & Community Services on social media.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Flachman, Public Information Officer
City of Merced
(209) 564-0235
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