FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Thousands of people gathered at Fresno’s city parks on Easter Sunday to partake in festivities and celebrate the holiday. Local organizations, like Victory Outreach Fresno West Church, were among the many hosting events for the community.
“It’s awesome to see all the kids. We had over 3,000 eggs this year, and as you can see, the kids really enjoy it,” said Jessica Rodacker, a representative of the church. In addition to organizing an Easter egg hunt, Rodacker shared that the church planned to serve meals to at least 200 people for the holiday.
City officials had braced for a surge of visitors, as Easter Sunday, along with Mother’s Day, is one of the busiest days for Fresno’s parks. Aaron Aguirre, Director of Parks for the City of Fresno, highlighted the city’s preparations to accommodate the large crowds. “We have our 20 park rangers patrolling the city parks, and Fresno PD is also on hand with patrol units to manage traffic flow,” Aguirre explained.
To handle the additional demand, the city deployed an extra 75 staff members for the holiday weekend, focusing on both security and maintaining park conditions. “Our parks often reach capacity, with parking spaces filling up fast. Both Woodward Park and Roeding Park can hold approximately 1,300 to 1,400 vehicles,” said Aguirre.
For some visitors, the parking situation posed a challenge. Efren Casas, a resident of Visalia, arrived early Sunday to ensure he could secure a parking spot. Despite the early arrival, Casas said the experience was rewarding: “A little food, playing soccer, and enjoying some games with the rackets—it’s all worth it,” he shared.
To help keep the parks clean during the busy day, city staff distributed trash bags to visitors and worked to ensure the areas remained litter-free.
As thousands enjoyed the holiday, Fresno’s parks were bustling with families and individuals eager to make the most of the spring day, aided by the city’s extensive planning and preparation.
