The city's vision for Fairmount Park over the next decade includes completely rebuilding the bandshell, reconfiguring the golf course, and closing two streets to reduce cut-through traffic—changes designed to increase park use.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Pamela Galera presented the draft Fairmount Park Master Plan on Jan. 21, outlining proposed improvements to the 280-acre park.
"Our intent is to preserve the history of Fairmount Park while increasing the use of the park," said Galera, who noted the city also hopes to increase revenue that would be reinvested into the park. "We're trying to chart a path to enhance the park while preserving its historic integrity."
The plan, developed by consulting firm MIG Inc. after extensive community engagement—including over 100 attendees at two public workshops and meetings with local Native American tribes—centers on the "historic core" of Riverside's largest and second-oldest park, which opened in 1898.
The most significant proposal calls for completely rebuilding the Fairmount Park Bandshell near its current location.
The original bandshell, designed by architect Arthur Benton and built in 1920, was destroyed by fire on Christmas Day 1982 and reconstructed in 1993, though only the rock rooms and concrete podium are original materials.
The current structure is no longer functional and doesn't meet today's requirements for staging events. Deficiencies include inadequate power, lighting, stage size, and accessibility features.
The proposed reconstruction would maintain the same architectural design and proportions but include a larger stage, rear loading dock, green rooms with bathrooms, modern audio-visual amenities, and secure storage. The existing river rock and barrel tile could be reused.
Historian Glenn Wenzel, speaking on behalf of the Riverside Historical Society, said the organization has been monitoring the process and believes "everything looks like they're going along with keeping historical context."
However, Linda Stewart—a member of the current master plan task force—criticized the planning process and opposes altering the bandshell. She told the board the bandshell recommendation appears to come from a 2009 plan rather than from community input.
"Please take the bandshell project off the table. It's problematic. It certainly won't help us get on the National Register and it's not worth it," Stewart said, urging the board to "reject this presentation."
Steven Lech, president of the Riverside Historical Society, wrote in October 2025 that his organization supports the bandshell reconstruction. "The Riverside Historical Society would like to go on record as being in favor of the proposed project," the letter stated, noting the new bandshell will maintain historic character while accommodating modern performers.
The master plan proposes several options for the Fairmount Park Golf Course, including improving or relocating the driving range, expanding eastward along Market Street, adding a pitch-and-putt course near Brown Lake, and creating a bike and pedestrian promenade connecting to the Santa Ana River Trail. The trail connection aligns with the city's broader River District initiative, which aims to transform 250 acres of underutilized parkland along the Santa Ana River and identifies Fairmount Park as a potential catalyst site for the revitalization effort.
Circulation improvements: Realigning Bowling Green Drive and Redwood Drive, adding a roundabout at the Market Street entrance, closing Locust Street and Fairmount Park Boulevard, and replacing two vehicular bridges. A new parking lot would be built southeast of the current bandshell parking area.
Lake enhancements: Improvements to water quality, boat ramps, and shoreline access, with terraced shores providing improved accessibility. The plan calls for removing two small white pedestrian bridges on the northeast corner of Fairmount Lake during reconstruction of historic lily ponds.
Tree preservation: Historic Montezuma Bald Cypress trees, a designated landmark feature, would be preserved and additional specimens planted. Palm trees along some shorelines would be removed.
Armory adaptive reuse: Transform the 1959 Armory building into a restaurant and brewery with pickleball courts.
Property evaluation: Assessment of underutilized parcels that could generate revenue for park improvements.
The master plan acknowledges Fairmount Park's location on the site of Spring Rancheria, one of three Cahuilla villages near the original Riverside settlement. Representatives from local tribes participated in two Intertribal Summits and attended Tuesday's Cultural Heritage Board meeting to speak about tribal connections to the land.
Rosie Aranda, a fifth-generation Riversider and descendant of families from Spring Rancheria, urged the city to recognize the site's Indigenous history.
"My concern is that under a lot of these maps and documents, it's labeled as the Scouts of America camp. And that's just not true. We've been there way before them." She noted that an archaeological assessment by Karen Swope found the area qualifies for National Register designation on its own.
Aranda asked that the park be recognized as Big Spring Rancheria and that the Indigenous history be central to any National Register nomination. She referenced a documentary called "Pá'Čapa: A Mt Rubidoux Story"—using the Cahuilla word meaning "where the water bends"—that discusses the property.
Galera said the city is exploring renaming opportunities throughout the park, including possibly renaming what's currently called "Boy Scout camp" after the historic village. The plan recommends opportunities for art and interpretation throughout the park, potentially including acknowledgment of the Indigenous history.
The plan recommends keeping the Union Pacific Engine No. 6051 and the World War II "Water Buffalo" amphibious vehicle in their current locations.
The locomotive, donated by Union Pacific in 1954 to commemorate the railroad's 50th anniversary in Riverside, has been the subject of preservation concerns. In a July 2025 letter, the Riverside Historical Society advocated for keeping the engine at Fairmount Park after learning of possible removal.
"It would be a shame to see this vital part of Riverside's rich railroad heritage disappear," the letter stated. "Instead, Union Pacific #6051 needs to be restored with a good paint job and possibly interpretive panels installed telling the railroad history connected to Riverside."
The planning process included three meetings with the Fairmount Park Master Plan Task Force, two public open houses that drew more than 100 community members, two Intertribal Summits with over 20 tribal members, and an online survey.
The master plan recommends registering Fairmount Park on the National Register of Historic Places, which would recognize its historical significance, association with important figures, distinctive Olmsted Brothers landscape design, and archaeological potential.
The park was originally planned by the Olmsted Brothers firm—sons of nationally recognized landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted—who were also working on San Diego's Balboa Park at the time.
The firm's 1911 plan for Fairmount Park included lake modifications, roadways, tree plantings, and a swimming pool. While not fully implemented initially, elements were revisited in 1923 with the expansion of Lake Evans.
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