“Want to meet us at Tenaya Park?” asked my friend, as we planned a play date for our kids one Saturday afternoon. “Sure… um, where is it?” was my response. “It’s the park in our neighborhood. I’ll text you directions.”
Tenaya Park is quite literally in the middle of one of my dear friend’s neighborhoods, and just a hop, skip and jump away from where our family lives – yet it feels eons away in the sense that it is so lovely, so pleasant and so relaxed that you feel like you’ve stepped into a prior era when you visit. An era in which neighborhood children weren’t glued to glowing, handheld screens all day but in fact stayed outdoors and played until the sun went down and their parents made them come inside for dinner. An era in which neighbors likely lend each other a cup of sugar and bring welcome baskets when someone new moves in down the street.
Located between Sierra and Escalon and Fruit and Thorne Avenues, 143 ranch style homes, built in the 1960s and 70s surround a lush, 2.5 acre park, shaded by tall, mature trees. A pedestrian path surrounds the park and creates a perfect exercise path for friends, neighbors and parents while children are happily entertained by the play structure (which has benefited from the recent revamping of the foam ground covering) or the basketball court. An expansive green space sprawls to provide the perfect picnic area, touch football field, or a play space for neighborhood dogs (who are well known to other park goers, especially Tuxedo, a friendly, black and white dog who is happy to play catch with his Frisbee anytime anyone wants to toss it for him).
Each neighborhood street ends in either a cul-de-sac that offers parking for Tenaya Park, or a cul-de-sac with homes located all around, but with a lighted pathway between the homes, so that all neighborhood residents have easy access to the park. The lit foot paths are so uncommon in the Fresno area, they seemed almost magical or like secret passages the first time I wandered them on an evening walk.
The Tenaya Park neighborhood is located on a County Island and the park is a public park owned maintained by Fresno County but with funds from neighborhood homeowners, who pay $210 per year in Homeowners’ Association fees to ensure its longevity and upkeep. (A very reasonable fee in my opinion, considering the immense benefit of having such a beautiful park in your own backyard.)
If you are currently in the market for a home in Northwest Fresno, I strongly suggest you consider looking into the Tenaya Park area. Tenaya Park feeds into Gibson Elementary, Tenaya Middle School and Bullard High School and is also within walking distance to Piazza del Pane, Starbucks, Broilers, and Northpointe Shopping Center.
If you need help finding a home in the area that’s perfect for your family, I suggest you start with my favorite realtor, Jason Farris (aka Mr. FresYes). And I realize you probably think, “she’s biased! She writes for his website!” And yes, you’re right – I am biased, but only because he was our family’s realtor and took such amazing care of us looooong before I began writing here for you.
Seriously – check out the Tenaya Park neighborhood – it’s like no other in Fresno, really! You’ll love it!
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