Glendale News-Press: Glendale's Renovated Fremont Park Draws Large Crowd

Fremont also boasts two new playgrounds designed for ages 2-5 and 5-12, featuring a large slide, swings and sensory element.

Glendale's Model Railroad Club reopened in conjunction with the newly renovated Fremont Park on the same day. An estimated 2,500 attendees, a city spokesperson said, got to explore community booths featuring various city of Glendale departments and local organizations, along with food and activities for children.

During the park's reopening ceremony, Henrik Sardarbegian, parks commission president, said he has a deep-rooted connection with Fremont Park, describing it as a "sanctuary" and the "heartbeat" of its community.

Fremont is where Sardarbegian said he spent nearly every day playing basketball as a kid. It's also where he met his best friend, Arthur Astorian, senior project manager for the Fremont Park project.

"With the exception of my childhood home and homeland, Fremont Park is where most of my childhood memories came from," Sardarbegian said. "[Fremont] ... has been a gathering place for our community, especially for those living in the Glenwood and Vineyard neighborhoods."

Mayor Ara Najarian said the grand reopening event marked a momentous day for Fremont Park, which hadn't seen a major update since 1988. The park's revitalization, he said, was community driven.

"Staff tells us what is the best thing to do. Sometimes we agree with staff. Sometimes we don't, but I think all of us here agree that what we've created today is something very special that's going to serve the community for years to come," Najarian said.

The Glendale City Council approved the Fremont Park Master Plan in December 2015 and renovations began in November 2023.

Fremont's renovation project, a collaboration between Glendale's community services and parks department and public works department, had a $27,283,110 budget.

The transformation was funded through various sources, including $7 million from the city's capital improvement program, $10.3 million in development impact fees, nearly $7 million in Measure S funds, $2 million from Glendale Water and Power for solar panels and a $933,000 grant secured by U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman, who was then an assemblymember.

Friedman's community engagement director, Maria Sosian, said the congresswoman has always felt parks are more than just green space, but also a vital part of a healthy community.

Sosian said Fremont Park is especially important to Friedman because it's where she taught her daughter how to ride a bike, "like so many families in this neighborhood."

"It's personal for her, and it's why she fought so hard to secure a nearly $1 million investment to help launch this renovation," Sosian said. "[Friedman is] so proud of what this community has accomplished, and she looks forward to bringing home more investments to our communities that enrich our families and neighborhoods, while saving your hard earned money on her behalf."

Daniel Hernandez, director of public works, said the project did not come without challenges. He said staff worked to protect the park's numerous indigenous trees, while installing ADA compliant pathways and solar panels.

Onnig Bulanikian, community services and parks department director, said Glendale's recreation team has "a lot in store" for the park, including plans for programming, summer day camps, facilities and picnic shelter rentals.