Joe Sampson Park

History and Background

Set in Rialto, California, Joe Sampson Park spans a generous 8 acres of community space. This relatively new addition to the city's recreational landscape opened its gates on February 23, 2019. The park honors Joe Sampson Jr., a dedicated local who wore multiple hats for his community - acting as city clerk for two decades before stepping into the role of city councilman.

Walking Trails

Looking to get your steps in? The park features a 0.3-mile rubber walking trail that hugs the perimeter. The cushioned surface is easier on the joints, making it popular with regular walkers and joggers. If you're up for exploring more, the park offers a network of sidewalks and paths totaling about 0.7 miles altogether.

These paths offer pleasant views while connecting the different areas of the park, making it easy to wander from one spot to another.

Playground Areas

Joe Sampson Park features two playgrounds designed for different age groups. The larger playground is an adventure zone with rock climbing walls, slides, a wall climber, fireman poles, and rope ladders. Children often line up for their turn on the unique dragon swing.

For the little ones, there's a separate playground scaled perfectly for toddlers and younger children. Here you'll come across gentler slides, accessible jungle gym equipment, fun spinning chairs, and various swings including bucket swings that help keep the smallest visitors secure. This age-appropriate separation allows children to play among peers of similar size and ability.

Sports and Exercise Facilities

Basketball enthusiasts can enjoy four half-court basketball courts that allow multiple games to run simultaneously without interference. These well-maintained courts regularly attract local players looking for a pickup game.

If you're into fitness, you'll appreciate the exercise stations positioned along the walking path. These stations offer a range of equipment for both strength training and cardio workouts, suitable for varying fitness levels. These effectively function as an outdoor gym.

The heart of the park features a spacious open grassy field suitable for impromptu soccer matches, touch football games, frisbee tossing, or simply spreading out a blanket to relax.

Amenities

Planning to spend the day? You can find several picnic areas complete with shelters and tables scattered around the grounds. Approximately six BBQ grills are available for public use - some tucked under shaded coverings and others in open areas. Each grilling station includes a designated spot for safely disposing of hot charcoal.

The park maintains clean restroom facilities that are regularly serviced, however you might want to bring hand sanitizer as soap and toilet seat covers can occasionally be missing.

Dog-Friendly Features

Your four-legged friends are welcome at Joe Sampson Park, which offers convenient pet waste stations across the grounds. These stations provide bags for cleanup, making it easy to be a responsible pet owner. The fields and walking paths are good for dog walking, but you should keep your pets leashed and supervised, particularly during busier hours.

Maintenance and Atmosphere

The park maintains a clean, well-kept appearance with security personnel making regular patrols. Thanks to its generous size, it rarely feels crowded even on beautiful days. The overall vibe is peaceful and family-friendly, making it suitable for visitors of all ages. During summer, the park occasionally transforms into a community gathering space, hosting events like outdoor movie screenings that bring neighbors together.