Turlock Opens New John Lazar Park to Public

The city held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new 3.5-acre park and recreational space.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Civic

Bold flat-color vector illustration of a winding community park walkway, benches, and trees in the California suburban style. — Turlock officials opened the new 3.5-acre John Lazar Park, providing residents with updated recreational space and improved neighborhood walkways. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Turlock officially opened John Lazar Park, a new community space featuring playgrounds and picnic areas. The park is named after the former mayor and city council member to honor his decades of public service.

Why it matters

The park provides a central location for local residents to gather and recreate while honoring a significant figure in Turlock's civic history. City officials selected the location to improve neighborhood connectivity through new landscaped walkways.

The site spans 3.5 acres and includes amenities such as two playgrounds and barbecue facilities. Development of the property followed a unanimous City Council vote in February 2022.

The players

John Lazar

He is a former Turlock mayor and council member who served the city for over two decades.

Amy Bublak

She serves as the current mayor of Turlock and nominated the park for its official designation.

Bob Endsley

He is a local resident honored with a memorial within the new park grounds.

The details

Located at 3650 Bethpage St., the park includes a landscaped walkway designed to connect nearby neighborhoods. The facility also features a memorial dedicated to Bob Endsley.

John Lazar served on the Turlock City Council from 1992 to 2006.
John Lazar served as the mayor of Turlock from 2006 to 2014.
John Lazar was named the Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2007.
The City Council approved the park naming in February 2022.
John Lazar Park officially opened on October 27, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

The establishment of this park follows the administrative protocols outlined in the Turlock Municipal Code regarding public space naming conventions. The project marks the completion of a process initiated by the City Council to codify local recreational assets.

Residents can now utilize the playgrounds, picnic areas, and landscaped walkways during regular park operating hours. The new site offers Turlock families a dedicated space for outdoor activities and neighborhood connection.

The takeaway

This park serves as a new community hub for Turlock residents seeking accessible outdoor recreation. Visitors are encouraged to utilize the new picnic and barbecue facilities located at the Bethpage Street entrance.