A park named after the first American mayor that was born in the Philippines will be ready to welcome residents back as early as next month.

Sangalang Park – named after former Lathrop mayor Apolinar Sangalang, a United States Navy and WWII veteran that was captured by the Japanese – has been getting a major overhaul that will provide top-flight recreational amenities to residents living on the east side of I-5.

The park is expected to reopen in August.

With a $1.84 million price tag the city was able to replace the aging playground structure at the park – located behind Joseph Widmer Elementary School – as well as install a second bathroom, a splash pad, a pair of tennis courts, and a monument honoring Sangalang for his contributions to America and to the city that he once led.

The monument will include an explanation of Sangalang’s military record and his service to Lathrop and will include lighted American and Prisoner of War flags that will be displayed at the site.

Lathrop funded the park with proceeds from Measure C while at the same time submitting the design to the State of California in an attempt to secure $2 million worth of grant funding to cover the cost of the overhaul and upgrades.

The addition of the tennis courts will be the first time that residents on the east side of I-5 will have the popular amenity at one of their neighborhood parks, and the playground revitalization will replace the original equipment was installed when the park was initially dedicated.

And Lathrop is making sure that its parks are taken care of to ensure that residents have the finest opportunities for recreation around.

While the work at Sangalang Park is wrapping up, the city also recently completed the installation of skid-resistant paint at the splash pads at both Valverde and Mossdale Parks – sites that are popular with families for the water feature during the sweltering summer months.

The skid-resistant paint will add an additional layer of safety to the feature the same way that the installation of rubberized play surfaces at heavily-used parks – something that the Lathrop City Council has also prioritized – cuts down on the likelihood of injury.

In September, the Lathrop City Council is also expected to review and potentially choose design options for another park east of I-5 along Schilling Avenue – which connects Woodfield Estates to Harlan Road and provides a second egress point for residents.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.