The Yolo County Library, in partnership with the city of Davis and the California State Library, will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the Walnut Park Library on Friday, April 18 at 11:00 a.m.

The event will take place at 2700 Lillard Drive in Davis, marking the beginning of a significant project to enhance library services in south Davis.

“I am so pleased to see the long-awaited Walnut Park Library moving forward,” stated Vice-Chair of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, Sheila Allen. “This library has been a part of the county strategic plan for a very long time, and with the support of city, county, state, and federal partners, it is becoming a reality. It will be a resource for all of Davis, from young children learning about the joys of literature to older adult programs and everything in between.”

Supervisors approved the $14.2 million construction contract with DL Falk Construction, which is based in Hayward after Yolo County Director of General Services Ryan Pistochini said the county received four different offers from various contractors.

According to the summary provided within the November meeting’s agenda materials, the County identified a need for more library services in Davis, and last year, the board received nearly $8.8 million from a State Library Building Forward grant.

“When I visit Yolo County library branches in the City of Winters, Yolo, Clarksburg, and elsewhere in the county, it’s clear they serve as hubs for the community,” stated Chair of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors Lucas Frerichs in a June 2024 statement regarding the approval of plans for the new library. “The effort to reduce capacity issues at the Mary L. Stephens Library and expand services to a growing Davis community has been a team effort with federal, state, county, and city partners. We now have an opportunity for the broader community to support our libraries.”

Congressman Mike Thompson, D-Yolo, presented a $850,000 check to the city of Davis and Yolo County for the Walnut Park Library project in April 2024.

According to a city of Davis press release, Thompson secured this funding in the appropriations government funding bill that was signed into law on March 9, 2024.

“Congressman Thompson’s appropriation just put us over the top,” stated Yolo County Supervisor at the time, Jim Provenza. “We will now be able to build a wonderful new library at Walnut Park in South Davis. The funds will also enable us to become compliant with clean energy requirements. We appreciate Congressman Thompson … for their work in obtaining funding for Yolo County libraries.”

This new library will provide expanded resources and services for the community, offering a welcoming space for learning, collaboration, and engagement. The groundbreaking ceremony will feature remarks from key local and state leaders, including Vice-Chair Allen, Frerichs, retired Yolo County Supervisor Jim Provenza, Congressman Mike Thompson, Davis City Council Member Josh Chapman, and a representative from the State Librarian’s Office.

“For the past decade, both on the City Council and now the County Board of Supervisors, I’ve worked in partnership with stakeholders to expand library services to South Davis,” shared Frerichs. “I’m thrilled to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Walnut Park Library with many agencies and community members who helped us reach this important milestone.”

The Walnut Park Library project is made possible through funding provided by the State of California and administered by the California State Library. Community members are invited to attend this special event and celebrate the future of library services in South Davis.

“I am thrilled to see years of dedicated advocacy and hard work by community members, partners, and the Yolo County Library team come to life,” stated Yolo County Librarian Diana Lopez. “This groundbreaking is a dream realized for countless individuals and families, as well as for the Yolo County Library. It marks the beginning of a brighter future, where the Walnut Park Library will provide much-needed, accessible resources for all.”

For more information, please visit YoloCountyLibrary.org/Locations/WalnutParkLibrary/