New city park features sports fields, 10 acres of space

Youth play basketball on the new courts adjacent to a picnic area at Centennial Park, a new 10-acre park in Menifee. Staff photos by Doug Spoon

One of the town’s largest parks and most attractive sports facilities is now officially part of the City of Menifee’s Community Services Department, thanks to the City’s acceptance of Centennial Park from the developer.

The 10-acre park is located in the center of the Centennial Homes development, a 157-acre planned community built by Pardee Homes in an area now known as Menifee Heights. It is bordered by Holland Road to the north and Briggs Road to the east. The park includes two baseball fields, a soccer field, two full basketball courts, a playground and picnic areas.

The City officially took control of the park Wednesday when the City Council approved receiving a certificate of acceptance from the developer. The City’s Public Works and Community Services Departments inspected the park and certified its compliance with the conditions of approval.

Besides being an additional open space for use by residents, Centennial Park offers more options for youth sports organizations. Sharing field space is often a problem. The City has plans to install lights for night-time sports events.

Although this park is located on the east side of the 215 Freeway, where Valley-Wide Recreation & Park District operates existing parks, Centennial Park will be under the control of the City of Menifee. According to Gina Gonzalez, economic development director for the City, parks built in any new housing development anywhere in Menifee could come under control of the City.

The City of Menifee owns and operates 13 parks, mostly on the west side of the freeway. Valley-Wide owns and operates 20 parks on the east side of the freeway. The City is in litigation with Valley-Wide and the Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission in an effort to gain control of all parks in the city. The sides are preparing for a May 29 court date regarding the City’s request.

Meanwhile, Centennial Park is open for residents to use. Its formal Grand Opening will take place April 11 as part of the City’s annual Spring Fest. The event will begin at 10 a.m. and will include games, activities and an Easter Egg Hunt.

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