The BIG SPLASH-Red Bluff Splashground Project

04/07/2026

A little feel good story for you this morning, not unlike The Big Splash Project. 💙

02/20/2026

This week in the press you may have seen that The City of Red Bluff rejected the 2 bids that were received for the construction of the park revitalization project which includes The Big Splash. To eliminate everyone’s cause for concern I wanted to share a little bit about why and to assure you all that the project is still very much a GO. We anticipate this might cause a couple month delay at most.

For a little back story, The Soroptimist International of Red Bluff fundraised for a solid couple of years (2019-2021) raising $250,000 to build the splash park. We have so far spent approximately $75,000 building a shade structure that is already at the park adjacent to where the splash pad will be, plus we incurred expenses in design and engineering and grant writing. We funded the grant writing operation and successfully landed $3 Million state of CA Prop68 RRT Grant, in partnership with the City of Red Bluff. The project grew from a “little” $500,000 splash pad to so much more— including pickleball courts, an amphitheater, fitness station, refreshed playground, restrooms, and so much more. (The money can only be used for THIS project. It can’t be used for the roads or for the jail or for anything else all you wild weirdos think the city is going to do with it). The City is discussing additional grant opportunities which maybe possible for furthering this project, but we certainly cannot count on those funds at this point.

We designed the most beautiful park for Red Bluff and put it up for bid last month. Unfortunately the bids came in and our total job cost including all costs, just north of $4M. With only $3M to spend, and a deadline to meet to be in compliance with our grant, we must scale back and press forward. The design will be edited and the bid package will be re advertised very soon.

We hope that we did not disappoint our contractors that have already submitted and hope they will resubmit. It’s just the harsh reality that we have a budget that we have to stick with. And hope to see more competition and sharper rates.

I personally will continue to pound the pavement seeking additional donations to cover a few more items to help lighten the load. I am hoping to source funds for trash cans, lounge chairs, another shade element, The Big Splash Sign, tile mosaics, and funds for other key materials that can be purchased in advance. I’ll shamelessly post the Soroptimist Club’s PayPal link in the comments for individual donations. Or donations may also be made at Plumas Bank in the “Soroptimist Big Splash Account”.

I have so many people to thank for helping me to see this project through, so many stake holders, so many supporters and individual and corporate donors. THANK YOU ALL for helping to make this mama’s dream come true. Hang in there Red Bluff, I’ll see you at The Big Splash soon. 💙💦

02/02/2026

We have come so far and this is the year it all comes to life! It’s been the most memorable ride and the best is still yet to come!
$3.5 Million raised in local fundraising efforts by individual and corporate donations and grant funds.
Hundreds of fundraisers and public speaking events.
Thousands of volunteer hours spent planning and marketing.
But the feeling of doing something so important for my community is PRICELESS.
See you all at The Big Splash!
💦 💙

11/21/2025

Thanks Action News Now for sharing the Big Splash Progress! I hear there are a number of contractors that met at the prebid meeting whom have interest in submitting bids! Very exciting to see the project nearing construction! 🚧

The Red Bluff splash pad is scheduled to begin construction in March or April 2026.

11/13/2025

Another exciting update for the Big Splash Project, the City of Red Bluff has officially published the Splash Park and other park improvements for contractors to bid! But what might be even more exciting is The City of Red Bluff has recently hired a grant writer that is eagerly seeking funding opportunities for further development and improvements for Red Bluff. And before you all get too bent out of shape—they are of course seeking opportunities for roads—but also for other development such as parks too.

An opportunity for funding has arisen and there are funds available under the State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Part of the grant application is for the city to obtain public input, and have meetings to collect information for improvements that community members would like to see.

The City of Red Bluff will conduct a public meeting on November 13th (TOMORROW) at 5:30pm, at 1500 S Jackson St, Red Bluff, CA 96080 to discuss possible applications for funding under the State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and to gather residents’ ideas for possible activities to be included in the application. If you have some input and cannot attend this meeting, there will be a second meeting in December. Or, shoot me a DM and I can accumulate community members suggestions!

Do you have a dream for Red Bluff, like I did in building a Splash Park? Let’s make it happen!
See you tomorrow!

More information in the comments section about the meeting.

09/09/2025

Thanks to the Tehama County Association of REALTORS for doing a great video featuring the Big Splash project as a community development project! Improving our community and parks helps boost local moral and property values. We can’t wait to see the transformation!

08/29/2025

The Bid Package for the Splash Park project is finally published on the City Council Agenda for next Tuesday's meeting (link in the comments), once approved, the City will publish on their website the request for proposals for contractors. The design team at Melton Design Group along with the City of Red Bluff - City Hall Public Works Department and Red Bluff Parks and Recreation/McGlynn Pool department have worked so hard to get to this point! Thank you to everyone involved, including all the community members who have supported the project since we started fundraising in 2019. It's finally happening! Stay tuned in the coming months for information on project timelines, groundbreaking and construction progress.
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