CW Clarke (Shandon) Park

In 1934, a group of 5 individuals representing various local organizations were appointed by the community to explore the possibility of creating a community park.  After various discussions with the County Board of Supervisors and the County Planning Commission, contact was made about acquiring a park site from the Crawford W. Clarke Company ranch bordering the town of Shandon.  A grant deed of 500,000 square feet (approximately 11.5 acres) was given by the C.W. Clarke Estate, specifying that the county would operate and maintain the park with an area a little less than an acre reserved for the exclusive use of the Women’s Club.  In 1937, five graduate student from Cal Poly spent the better part of a week at Shandon drawing up plans for the park, including a swimming pool, trees, a sports field, etc. and shortly thereafter they broke ground.  The pool construction started in the spring of 1942

Today, C.W. Clarke (Shandon) Park continues to serve the community of Shandon and the surrounding areas.  It is a very large park that includes 2 group barbecue areas, children’s playground, sports field, volleyball court, tennis court, basketball half-court, horseshoes and swimming pool (open during the summer only).  This park is a great rest stop for those traveling on Highway 41 during the hot summer months.